D46.7 


FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 


THE   LIBRARY  OF 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


ScAr 

DlvUics 


Section 


• 


i 


CONSTilUHtttldfc 1936 


% 


AND 


DISCIPLINE 


METHODIST  PROTESTANT 


CHURCH. 


BALTIMORE*. 

Published  for  the  Rook  committee  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
BY  JOHN  J.  HARROD, 

Book  Agent  of  the  M.  P.  Church. 
\VM.    WOODDY,    PRINT. 

1830." 


r 


DISTRICT  OF  MARYLAND,  SS. 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  this  sixth  day  December,  in  the 

<>••••<>     fifty-fourth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
\  SEAL.  \     States  of  America.  JOHN  J.  HARROD,  Book  Agent 

<►••/'•«>  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  in  these  United 
States,  of  the  said  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  office,  the  title  of 
»  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  proprietor,  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, to  wit: 

"The  Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled 
"An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning. by  securing  the  copies 
of  maps,  charts  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such 
copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned;"  and  also  to  the  act  enti- 
tled lAn  Act  supplementary  to  the  act,  entitled  an  act  for  the  en- 
couragement of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and 
books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times 
therein  mentioned,  and  extendiug  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of 
designing,  engraving,and  etching  historical  and  other  prints.' 

PHILIP  MOORE. 
Clirk  of  tht  Dist.  ict  of  Maryland. 


BRIEF 
HISTORICAL  PREFACE. 

"In  the  year  17*29,  two  young  men  in  England, 
reading  the  Bible,  saw  they  could  not  be  saved 
without  holiness;  followed  after  it,  and  incited 
others  so  to  do.  In  1737,  they  saw  likewise, 
that  men  are  justified  before  they  are  sanctified; 
but  still  holiness  was  their  object.  God  then 
thrust  them  out  to  raise  a  holy  people."  These 
were  John  and  Charles  Wesley. 

"In  the  latter  end  of  the  year,  1739,  eight  or 
ten  persons  came  to  Mr.  Wesley,  in  London, 
who  appeared  to  be  deeply  convinced  of  sin, 
and  earnestly  groaning  for  redemption.  They 
desired  (as  did  two  or  three  more  the  next  day) 
that  he  would  spend  sometime  with  them  in 
prayer,  and  advise  them  how  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come,  which  they  saw  continually 
hanging  over  their  heads.  That  he  might  have 
more  time  for  this  great  work,  he  appointed  a 
day  when  they  might   all   come  together,  which 


IV  PREFACE. 

from  thence  forward  they  did  every  week.  To 
these  and  as  many  more  as  desired  to  join  with 
them  (for  their  number  increased  daily)  he  gave 
those  advices,  from  time  to  time,  which  he  judg- 
ed most  needful  for  them;  and  they  always  con- 
cluded their  meeting  with  prayer,  suited  to  their 
several  necessities."  This  was  the  rise  of  the 
United  Society  in  Europe.  Such  a  society  is 
no  other  than,  "a  company  of  men  having  the 
form  and  seeking  the  power  of  godliness,  unit- 
ed in  order  to  pray  together,  to  receive  the  word 
of  exhortation,  and  to  watch  over  one  another 
in  love,  that  they  may  help  each  other  to  work 
out  their  salvation." 

Philip  Embury,  a  preacher  from  Ireland,  began 
to  preach  in  the  city  of  New  York,  some  time  in 
the  year  1766,  and  formed  a  society  of  his  own 
countrymen  and  a  few  of  the  citizens.  In  the 
same  year  Captain  Thomas  Webb,  preached  in 
in  a  hired  room,  near  the  barracks.  About  the 
same  time  Robert  Strawbridge,  settled  in  Frede- 
ric county,  state  of  Maryland,  and  formed  some 
societies.  Richard  Boardman,  and  Joseph  Pil- 
moor,  came  over  from  England,  in  1769,  to  New 
York,  in  the  character  of  missionaries;  and  to- 
ward the  close  of  the  year  1771,  Francis  Asbury 
and  Richard  Wright,  came  over  also  by  the  di- 


PREFACE. 


lection  of  Mr.  Wesley,  to  assist  the  American 
Methodist  preachers  and  societies. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1781,  the  methodist 
societies,  in  these  United  States,  were  organized 
l>\  l  conference  of  preachers  exclusively,  into 
what  M  called  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  made  independent  of  Mr.  Wesley.  The  go- 
vernment was  so  framed  hy  the  conference,  as  to 
secure  to  the  itinerant  ministers,  the  unlimited  ex- 
ercise of  the  legislative,  executive,  and  judicial 
powers  of  the  church,  to  the  entire  exclusion  of 
all  other  classes  of  ministers,  and  all  the  people. 
Subsequent  general  conferences  exhibited  mar- 
ked dissatisfaction  at  the  leading  features  of  the 
government,  and  a  very  respectable  minority 
struggled  hard  to  effect  some  salutary  improve- 
ments, but  without  producing  any  important 
changes.  The  opposition  of  the  minority  con- 
tinued with  unabating  ardour,  until  the  member- 
ship became  more  fully  acquainted  with  the  ge- 
nius of  the  government,  under  which  their  spi- 
ritual guides  had  placed  them,  without  their 
knowledge  or  consent.  In  1820,  a  periodical 
was  instituted,  entitled  the  Wesleyan  Reposito- 
ry, and  was  continued  up  to  the  sitting  of  the 
general  conference  of  18*24.  Numerous  peti- 
tions were  presented  to  that  body,  praying  for  a 


VI  PREFACE. 

representation  of  ministers  and  laymen  in  the 
rule  making  department;  but  no  change,  either 
in  the  principle  or  in  the  practical  operations 
of  the  government,  could  be  obtained. 

Immediately  after  the  rise  of  the  general  con- 
ference of  18*24,  a  meeting,  composed  of  some 
distinguished  members  of  the  conference,  and  of 
reformers  from  different  parts  of  the  United 
States,  was  held  in  this  city,  at  which  it  was  de- 
termined, to  publish  a  periodical  pamphlet  enti- 
tled; "The  Mutual  Rights  of  the  ministers  and 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, " 
"for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  Methodist  commu- 
nity a  suitable  opportunity  to  enter  upon  a  calm 
and  dispassionate  discussion  of  the  subjects  in 
dispute."  The  meeting  also  determined  to  re- 
solve itself  into  a  Union  Society;  and  recom- 
mended that  similar  societies  be  raised  in  all 
parts  of  the  United  States,  "in  order  to  ascer- 
tain the  number  of  persons  in  the  Methodist  E. 
Church,  friendly  to  a  change  in  her  government. " 
This  measure  was  followed  by  much  persecu- 
tion of  reformers.  In  Tennessee,  fourteen  offi- 
cial members  were  expelled  for  attempting  to 
form  a  Union  Society. 

Some  time  during  the  spring  of  the  year 
1826,  the  Baltimore  Union  Society,  recommend- 
ed state  conventions  to   be  held  in  the  several 


Mill  Ml 

states,  for  the   exclusive  purpose  of  making  in- 
ijniry  into  the  propriety  of  preparing  one  united 
petition  to  the  approaching  general  conference 
of  [828,  praying  for   Rbprssentatiow;  and   to 
elect  delegates  to  meet  in  a  general  convention 
for  the  purpose.     Conventions  were  according- 
ly held,  and  delegates  elected;  in  consequence  of 
which,  reformers,  in  different  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, were  made  to  feel  the  displeasure  of  men  in 
power.     In  North  Carolina,  several  members  of 
the  Granville  Union  Society,  were  expelled    for 
being  members  thereof.  In  the  fall  of  18*27,  eleven 
ministers  were  suspended,   and   finally  expelled 
from  the  Methodist  E.  Church  in  this  city,  and 
twenty-two   laymen,  for  being  members  of  the 
union    society,    and  supporters  of  the  mutual 
rights.     About  fifty  of  the  female  friends  of  the 
suspended  and   expelled  brethren  immediately 
withdrew  from   the    church,  after  addressing    a 
letter  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  in  which  they 
say;    ^to    find    our   dear   companions,    fathers, 
brothers,  children  and  friends,  treated  as    crimi- 
nals   and  enemies,  persecuted,  suspended,  and 
expelled;   denounced  as  backsliders  and  distur- 
bers  of  the  peace,  and  ourselves  treated  coldly 
and  distantly  by  our  former  friends,  and  by  our 
pastors;  and  all  for  a  nun   differena  of  opinion 
about  church   government,   is  more  than  we   fuel 


Till  PREFACE. 

bound  in  christian  charity  longer  to  endure;  and, 
therefore,  we  feel  it  our  duty,  in  the  fear  of  God, 
to  withdraw  from  the  church."  The  expelled 
brethren  and  their  friends  immediately  organized 
under  Mr.  Wesleys'  general  rules,  taking  the 
title  of,  the  Associated  Methodist  Reformers. 

November,  1827,  the  general  convention  as- 
sembled in  this  city,  composed  of  ministers  and 
lay  delegates,  elected  by  the  state  conventions 
and  union  societies.  This  convention  pre- 
pared a  memorial  to  the  general  conference  of 
May  1828,  praying  that  the  government  of  the 
church  might  be  made  representative,  and  more 
in  accordance  with  the  mutual  rights  of  the 
ministers  and  people.  To  this  memorial,  the 
general  conference  replied,  in  a  circular,  by 
claiming  for  the  itinerant  ministers  of  their 
church,  an  exclusive  divine  right  to  the  same  un- 
limited and  unamenable  power  which  they  had 
exercised  over  the  whole  church,  from  the  es- 
tablishment of  their  government  in  1784.  Soon 
after  the  rise  of  the  general  conference  several 
reformers  in  Cincinnati,  Lynchburg,  and  other 
places,  were  expelled  for  being  members  of  union 
societies^  and  supporters  of  the  mutual  rights. 

The  reformers  now  perceiving,  that  all  hope 
of  obtaining  a  change  in  the  government  of  the 
church  had  vanished,  withdrew  in  considerable 


PBS]  i\ 

numbers,  in  different  parts  of  the  United  St 

and  called  another  general  convention,  to  as- 
semble in  this  qjty,  November  12,  1828.     This 

convention  drew  up  s<  vcnteen  " Articles  of  As- 
sociation" to  serve  as  a  provisional  government 

for  the  Associated  Methodist  Churches,  until 
a  Constitution  and  book  of  Discipline  could  be 
prepared  by  a  subsequent  convention,  to  beheld 
in  November  1830. 

Agreeably  to  appointment,  the  Convention  as- 
sembled, in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  in  St.  John's 
Church,  Liberty  street,  on  the  2nd  day  of 
November,  1830,  and  continued  its  session 
to  the  23rd  inclusive.  During  which  period  it 
formed,  and  adopted  the  following  Constitution 
and  Discipline,  for  the  government  of  the  Meth- 
odist Protestant  Church. 

The  Rev.  Francis  Waters,  D.D.  of  Baltimore, 
was  elected  President;  Mr.  Win.  C.  Lipscomb, 
of  Georgetown,  D.  C.  was  chosen  Secretary, 
and  Mr.  William  S.  Stockton,  of  Philadelphia, 
assistant  Secretary. 

The  following  named  persons  were  duly  elect- 
ed members  of  the  Convention,  by   the  re- 
tive  annual  conferences  of  the  Associated  Meth- 
odist Churches. 


« 


Delegates  elected   to   the  General    Cox 
vention. 

VERMONT  CONFERENCE. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Gage,     Mr.  Daniel  Norton, 
MASSACHUSETTS  CONFERENCE. 
Rev.  Thos.  F.  Norris.         Col.  Amos  Binney. 

NEW    YORK   AND   CANADA   CONFER- 
ENCE. 
Rev.  Daniel  Bromley. 

GENNESSEE  CONFERENCE. 
Rev.  Isaac  Fister,  Mr.  John  Woodward, 

Rev.  Elias  B.  Dare,  "   William  G.  Miller, 

*Rev.  James  Covel,  "  Eden  Foster, 

Rev.  Orren  Miller,  "  Richard  Harris, 

NEW  YORK  CONFERENCE. 
Rev.  George  Thomas,     Mr.  George  Smith, 

PENNSYLVANIA  CONFERENCE. 
Rev.  John  Smith,  Caleb  Rodney,  Esq. 

Thomas  Pearson,     Mr.  Arch'd  Campbell, 


Hiram  R.  Harrold, 
Geo.  A.  Raybold, 
Samuel  Budd, 
James  Brindle, 
Dr.  Thos.  Dunn, 
K.  S.  Cropper, 
Dr.  Phineas  Price, 
Taber  Chadvvick, 


Ebenezer  Cropper, 
(%  Arnold  S.  Naudain. 
"  Jeremiah  Stull, 
"   Uriah  Baxter, 
"  Elisha  Chew,. 
"  David  B.  Salter, 
"  James  Moore, 
"  Robert  Hodgson, 


*  Those  in  italics  were  not  present. 


Rev.    S.  Hutchinson,  Dr*    Win.   K.Mason, 

'•  Dr.  Win.  Morgan,  Mr.  Daniel  R.  Acklvy, 

"  John  Frrnon,  "  Jeremiah  Waftom, 

"  David  Rundell,  "    Wm.  S.  Stockton, 


MARYLAND 

Ministers. 

Rev.  Eli  Henkle, 
•    W.  W. Wallace, 
Dr.  J.  S.  Reese, 
"  D.  B.  Dorsey, 
11  T.H.Stockton, 
11  Isaac  Webster, 
11  Wm.  C.  Pool, 
11  Dr.  S.K.Jennings, 
"  F.  Waters,  D.D. 
11   J.  R.  Williams, 
"  D.  Zollickofler, 
11  Benj.  Richardson, 
11  S.  Linthicum, 
"   Thos.  Melvin, 


conference: 

Lay  Delegates. 

Hon.  Phil.  B.  Hopper, 
Mr.  Gideon  Davis, 
"  John  J.  Harrod, 
11  Henry  Willis, 
(\>1.  W.DouAtj, 
Mr.  Daniel  McLeod, 
J.  H.  Devor,  Esq. 
Mr.  Abner  Linlhicurn, 
'*  Elias  Crutchiey, 
11  Lewis  Shipley, 
"  Henry  Webster, 
11  John  Constable, 
James  Parrott,  Esq. 
Mr.  Rich'd  Chambers. 


VIRGINIA  CONFERENCE. 


Ministers. 

Rei .  AJex'd  McCaine, 

<:  Dr.  John  French, 
"  Dr.  Crawley  Finney, 

11  Dr.J.W.Holcombe, 

"  Miles  King, 

11  Benedict  Burgess, 


Lay  Delegates. 

Everard  Hall,  Esq. 
Mr.  John   Victor, 

"  W.S.  Sclater,  sen. 
Dr.  Andrew   Wood  ley. 
Dr.  Hiram  Harding, 
Mr.  B.  Starke. 


(XII) 

NORTH  CAROLINA  CONFERENCE. 

Ministers.  Lay  Delegates. 

Rev.  Wm.  W.  Hill,  S.  Whitaker,  Esq. 

"  Willis  Harris,  Mr.  John  F.  Bellamy, 

11  Josiah  R.  Horn,  "  Ivy  Harris. 

GEORGIA  CONFERENCE. 

Ministers.  Lay  Delegates. 

Rev.  Aaron  G.  Brewer,     Col.  R.  A.  Blount, 
"     Eppes  Tucker,  Charles  Kennon,  Esq. 

ALABAMA  CONFERENCE. 

Minister.  Lay  Delegate. 

Rev.  Britton  Capel,       Dr.  Edward  H.  Cook, 
OHIO  CONFERENCE. 
Ministers.  Lay  Delegates. 

Rev.  Asa  Shinn,  Mr.  James  Foster, 

"  Cornelius  Springer,  "  Wilson  S.  Thorn, 
11  Nicholas  Snethen,  •'  Thos.  McKeever, 
"     George  Brown,  "     J.  B.  W.  Haynes, 

"     Charles  Avery,  "     John  Souder, 

tm     John  Fordyce,  "     D.  P.  Wilkins, 

11     Matthew  Nelson,       "     Stephen  Beall} 
"     David  Edwards,         "     H.  C.  Dorsey. 

WESTERN  VIRGINIA  CONFERENCE. 

Minister.  Lay  Delegate. 

Rev.  George  A.  Read,     Mr.  Jas.  Carpenter. 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  TIM. 

METHODIST   PROTESTANT 

W  E,  t  ho  Representatives  of  the  Associated 
Methodist  Churches,  in  General  Convention 
rfpsembledj  acknowledging  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  only  Head  of  the  Church,  and 
the  word  of  God,  as  the  sufficient  rule  of  faith 
and  practice,  in  all  things  pertaining  to  godli- 
and  being  fully  persuaded,  that  the  re- 
presentative form  of  church  government  is 
the  most  scriptural,  best  suited  to  our  condi- 
tion, and  most  congenial  with  our  views  and 
feelings  as  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and 
of  the  house-hold  of  God;  AND,  Whereas,  a 
written  Constitution,  establishing  the  form  of 
government,  and  securing  to  the  Ministers 
and  Members  of  the  Church  their  rights  and 
privileges,  is  the  best  safeguard  of  Christian 
liberty;  We,  therefore,  trusting  in  the  protec- 
tion of  Almighty  God,  and  acting  in  the  name 
and  by  the  authority  of  our  constituents,  do 
ordain  and  establish,  and  agree  to  be  govern- 
ed by  the  following  elementary  principles  and 

Constitution: 
o 


14  ELEMENTARY   PRINCIPLES. 

1.  A  Christian  Church  is  a  society  of  be- 
lievers in  Jesus  Christ,  and  is  of  divine  insti- 
tution. 

2  Christ  is  the  only  Head  of  the  Church; 
and  the  word  of  God  the  only  rule  of  faith 
and  conduct. 

3  No  person  who  loves  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  obeys  the  gospel  of  God  our  Sa- 
viour, ought  to  be  deprived  of  church  mem- 
bership. 

4  Every  man  has  an  inalienable  right  to 
private  judgment,  in  matters  of  religion;  and 
an  equal  right  to  express  his  opinion,  in  any 
way  which  will  not  violate  the  laws  of  God, 
or  the  rights  of  his  fellow  men. 

5  Church  trials  should  be  conducted  on  gos- 
pel principles  only;  and  no  minister  or  mem- 
ber should  be  excommunicated  except  for  im- 
morality; the  propagation  of  unchristian  doc- 
trines; or  for  the  neglect  of  duties  enjoined  by 
the  word  of  God. 

6  The  pastoral  or  ministerial  office  and  du- 
ties are  of  divine  appointment;  and  all  elders 
in  the  church  of  God  are  equal;  but  ministers 
are  forbidden  to  be  lords  over  God's  heritage, 
or  to  have  dominion  over  the  faith  of  the 
saints. 

7  The  church  has  a  right  to  form  and  en- 
force such  rules  and  regulations  only,  as  are  in 
accordance  with  the  holy  scriptures,  and  may 
be  necessary  or  have  a  tendency  to  carry  into 
effect  the  great  system  of  practical  Christianity. 

8  Whatever  power  may  be  necessary  to 


cow  11  ruTioK.  15 

the  formation  of  rules  and  regulations,  i-   in- 
herent in  the  ministers  ami  members  of  the 

church;  but  so   much  of  that  power  may   be 
ited,  from  time  to  time,  upon  a  plan  of 
representation,  as  they  may  judge  necessary 
and  proper. 

9  It  is  the  duty  of  all  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  to  maintain  godliness,  and 
to  oppose  all  moral  evil. 

10  It  is  obligatory  on  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel to  be  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  their 
pastoral  and  ministerial  duties;  and  it  is  also 
obligatory  on  the  members,  to  esteem  min- 
isters highly  for  their  works'  sake,  and  to 
render  them  a  righteous  compensation  for 
their  labours. 

1  1  The  Church  ought  to  secure  to  all  her 
otlicial  bodies  the  necessary  authority  for  the 
purposes  of  good  government;  but  she  has 
no  right  to  create  any  distinct  or  independent 
sovereignties. 

CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  I. 
Title. 
This   Association    shall   be    denominated, 
The  Methodist  Proi  »>  r  \vr  Church,  com- 
prising  the  Associated   Methodist  Churches. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Terms  of  Membership. 
I.  There  is  only  one  condition  Required  of 
those  who  apply  for  membership  in  an  Asso- 


16  CONSTITUTION. 

ciated  Methodist  Church,  viz:  A  desire  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  be  saved  by 
grace,  through  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
with,  an  avowed  determination  to  walk  in  all  the 
commandments  of  God  blameless. 

But  those  who  may  continue  therein,  must 
give  evidence  of  this  desire  and  determina- 
tion, by  conforming  to  such  rules  of  moral 
discipline  as  the  word  of  God  requires. 

II.  There  shall  be  a  state  of  probationary 
privileges  in  which  persons  shall  be  held  as 
candidates  for  admission  into  membership  in 
this  Church,  preparatory  to  their  being  re- 
ceived into  full  membership,  by  a  compliance 
with  the  terms  thereof. 

III.  The  children  of  our  members,  and 
those  under  their  guardianship,  shall  be  re- 
cognized as  enjoying  probationary  privileges, 
and  held  as  candidates  for  membership;  and 
may  be  put  into  classes,  as  such,  with  the 
consent  of  their  parents  or  guardians. 

ARTICLE  III. 
Division  into  Districts,  Circuits,  and  Stations. 

I.  Those  parts  of  the  United  States  em- 
braced by  this  Association,  shall  be  divided 
into  districts,  having  respectively  such  boun- 
daries as  may  be  agreed  on  at  this  Conven- 
tion, subject  to  those  alterations  which  may 
be  made  or  authorized,  from  time  to  time,  by 
the  General  Conference. 

II.  Each  district  shall  be  divided  into  cir- 


C0HITITUT10N.  17 

Ooitfl  and  Itations,  by  its  annual  conference. 
III.  Kvrrv  minister  or  preacher, removing 
dom  one  district  to  another;  and  every  mem- 
ber  retaoving  from  one  circuit,  station,  or 
church  to  another,  having  a  certificate  of  his 
or  her  good  Standing,  shall  be  entitled  to 
membership  in  any  other  district,  circuit,  sta- 
tion or  Associated  Methodist  Church  within 
the  limits  of  this  Association,  to  which  he  or 
she  may  apply  for  membership. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

On  receiving  Churches,  fyd 

I.  Any  number  of  believers  united  as  a 
religious  Society  or  Church,  embracing  the 
principles  of  religious  truth  held  by  this  As- 
sociation, adopting  this  Constitution,  and 
conforming  to  our  book  of  discipline,  and 
means  of  grace,  shall,  at  their  request,  made 
to  the  president  of  an  annual  conference, 
or  the  superintendent  of  a  circuit  or  station, 
be  recognized  as  an  Associated  Methodist 
Church,  and  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges 
granted  by  this  Constitution;  subject,  how- 
ever, to  the  decision  of  the  most  adjacent 
quarterly  conference. 

II.  An  associated  church  or  society  shall 
be  composed  of  any  number  of  members 
residing  sufficiently  near  each  other  to  as- 
semble statedly  for  public  worship,  and  to 
transact  its  temporal  business.  And  every 
church  shall  be  divided,  when  it  becomes  ne- 

2* 


IS  CONSTITUTION. 

cessary,  into  smaller  companies  or  classes,  for 
the  purposes  of  religious  instruction  and  edi- 
fication. 

III.  Every  church  or  society  shall  have 
power,  by  the  concurrence  of  a  majority  of 
two-thirds  of  its  qualified  male  members,  pre- 
sent at  any  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  to 
purchase,  build,  lease,  sell,  rent,  or  otherwise 
obtain  or  dispose  of  property,  for  the  mu- 
tual benefit  of  the  church.  Each  church  shall 
also  have  power  to  admit  persons  into  full 
membership;  and  to  try,  censure,  or  expel  un- 
worthy members,  in  accordance  with  the  pro- 
visions of  this  constitution,  and  the  rules  of 
discipline. 

IV.  But  no  church  whatever  shall  be  con- 
tinued in  connexion  with  this  Association, 
which  does  not  conform  to  this  constitution, 
and  the  regulations  contained  in  the  book 
of  discipline;  or  which  may  hereafter  reject 
any  part  or  provision  thereof. 

ARTICLE  Y. 

Leaders'  Meeting. 
In  every  station  there   shall   be   a  leaders' 
meeting,  composed  of  all   the    class  leaders 
and    stewards;  the    superintendent   shall   be 
chairman  of  the  meeting. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

Quarterly   Conferences. 
I.  There  shall  be  four  Quarterly  Conferen- 
ces in  each  circuit  and  station,  in  every  con- 
ference year,  to  be  composed  of  all  the  min- 


CONSTITUTION.  19 

isters,*  preachers,  exhorters,  stewards  and  lea- 
ders, and  trustees,  in  full  membership,  belong* 
ing  to  1 1 1 < ^  circuit  or  station;  Provided  that 
the  superintendent  shall  have  authority  to  call 
special  meetings  of  the  quarterly  conference 
at  other  tunes,  when  circumstances  make  it 
necessary. 

II.  Each  quarterly  conference  shall  he 
vested  with  power  to  examine  into  the  offi- 
cial character  of  all  its  members,  and  to  ad- 
monish or  reprove  as  occasion  may  require; 
to  grant  to  persons,  properly  qualified  and 
recommended  by  the  class  of  which  the  ap- 
plicant is  a  member,  license  to  preach  and  ex- 
hort, and  renew  their  license  annually;  to  ad- 
mit ministers  and  preachers  coming  from  any 
associated  church;  to  recommend  ministers 
and  preachers  to  the  annual  conference  to 
travel,  and  for  ordination;  to  hear  and  decide 
on  appeals;  and  to  perform  such  other  du- 
ties as  are  authorized  by  this  convention. 
Provided,  nevertheless,  that  no  person  shall 
he  licensed  to  preach  until  he  shall  have  been 
first  examined,  and  recommended  by  a  com- 
mittee of  five,  composed  of  ministers  and 
laymen,  chosen  by  the  quarterly  conference. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Composition  and  powers  of  the  Annual  Con- 
i  uces. 
1  There  shall  be  held  annually  within  the 
limits  of  each  district,  a  Conference,  to  be 

*  A  minister  is  one  who  is  ordained;  a  preacher 
acts  under  a  license. 


20  CONSTITUTION. 

denominated  the  annual  conference,  com- 
posed of  all  the  ordained  itinerant  ministers 
belonging  to  the  district:  that  is,  all  ministers 
properly  under  the  stationing  authority  of  the 
conference;  and  of  one  delegate  from  each 
circuit  and  station  for  each  of  its  itinerant 
ministers;  provided,  however,  that  every  cir- 
cuit and  station  shall  have  at  least  one  dele- 
gate. Each  annual  conference  shall  regu- 
late the  manner  of  elections,  in  its  own  dis- 
trict; provided,  however,  that  the  election  of 
delegates  to  the  first  annual  conferences, 
under  this  constitution,  shall  be  according  to 
such  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  for  that 
purpose  by  the  quarterly  conferences  of  the 
respective  circuits  and  stations. 

II  The  annual  conferences  respectively, 
shall  be  vested  with  power  to  elect  a  presi- 
dent, annually;  to  examine  into  the  official  con- 
duct of  all  its  members;  to  receive  by  vote, 
such  ministers  and  preachers  into  the  confer- 
ence as  come  properly  recommended,  and 
who  can  be  efficiently  employed  as  itinerant 
preachers,  or  missionaries;  to  elect  to  orders 
those  who  are  eligible  and  competent  to  the 
pastoral  office;  to  hear  and  decide  on  appeals; 
to  define  and  regulate  the  boundaries  of  cir- 
cuits and  stations:  to  station  the  ministers, 
preachers  and  missionaries;  and  to  perform 
such  other  duties  as  are  prescribed  by  this 
Convention,  or  may  be  prescribed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference. 

III.  To  make  such  rules  and  regulations 
as  may  be  necessary  to  defray  the  expenses 


CONfttlTUTIOff*  21 

of  the  itinerant  ministers  preacheraand  their 
families;  to  raise  the  amount  of  their  .salaries 
■S  fixed  by  the  convention,  ami  for  all  other 
pu;  i  Qecled  with  the  organization  and 

continuance  of  said  conferences. 

IV  The  annual  conferences,  respectively, 
shall  also  have  authority  to  perforin  the  fol- 
lowing additional  duties: — 

1st  To  make  such  special  rules  and  regu- 
lations as  the  peculiarities  of  the  district  may 
require;  provided,  however,  that  no  rule  or 
regulation  be  made,  inconsistent  with  this 
constitution.  And  provided,  furthermore,  that 
the  general  conference  shall  have  power  to 
annul  any  rule  or  regulation  which  that  body 
may  deem  unconstitutional. 

Sd.  To  prescribe  and  regulate  the  mode  of 
Stationing  the  ministers  and  preachers  within 
the  district;  provided  always,  that  they  grant 
to  each  minister  or  preacher  stationed,  an 
appeal,  during  the  sitting  of  the  conference. 
3d,  Each  annual  conference  shall  have 
exclusive  power  to  make  its  own  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  admission  and  government 
of  coloured  members  within  its  district;  and  to 
make  for  them  such  terms  of  suffrage  as  the 
ceoferena  Lively  may  deem  proper. 

But  neither  the  general  conference  nor 
any  annual  conference,  shall  assume  pow- 
er to  interfere  with  the  constitutional  pow- 
ers of  the  civil  governments,  or  with  the  op- 
erations of  the  civil  laws;  yet,  nothing  herein 
contained  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  author- 


22  CONSTITUTION. 

ize  or  sanction  any  thing  inconsistent  with 
the  morality  of  the  holy  scriptures. 

Each  annual  conference  shall  keep  a 
Journal  of  its  proceedings,  and  send  a  copy 
to  the  general  conference. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Composition  of  the  General  Conference. 

I.  There  shall  be  a  General  Conference  of 
this  Association,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1834,  in  Georgetown, 
District  of  Columbia,  and  on  the  first  Tuesday 
in  May  every  seventh  year  thereafter,  in  such 
place  as  may  be  determined  on  by  the  confer- 
ence. 

II.  The  general  conference  shall  consist  of 
an  equal  number  of  ministers  and  laymen. 
The  ratio  of  representation  from  each  district 
shall  be  one  minister  and  one  layman  for 
every  thousand  persons  in  full  member- 
ship; Provided,  however,  that  any  district 
which  may  not  have  one  thousand  members 
shall  be  entitled  to  two  representatives,  one 
minister  and  one  layman,  until  a  different 
ratio  shall  be  fixed  by  the  general  conference. 

III.  The  number  of  representatives  to 
which  each  district  may  be  entitled,  shall  be 
elected  at  the  time,  and  place  of  holding  the 
annual  conference  of  the  district,  next  pre- 
ceding the  sitting  of  the  general  conference, 
by  the  joint  ballot  of  an  electoral  college,  com- 


CONSTITl  TIOK.  H 

posed  of  the  itinerant  ministers  and  delegates 
belonging  to  the  annual  conference,  and  of 
one  minuter,  who  is  not  under  the  stationing 
authority  of  the  conference,  provided  there  l>c 
such,  from  eaeh  circuit  and  station  within  the 
limits  of  the  district-  The  minister  thus  added 
from  each  circuit  and  station,  shall  he  elected  at 
the  time  and  place  of  holding  the  quarterly 

confert  nee.  by  the  ministers  in  his  circuit 
or  station,  not  under  the  stationing  power  of 
the  annual  conference.  Provided,  however, 
that  the  Delegates  from  the  respective  circuits 
and  stations,  be  laymen;  and  provided,  also, 
that  it  require  the  affirmative  vote  of  a  majority 
of  all  the  lay  delegates  present,  as  well  as  of  a 
majority  of  the  votes  of  all  the  ministers  pre- 
sent, to  constitute  the  election  of  any  repre- 
sentative to  the  general  conference. 

IV .  The  general  conference  shall  elect  hy 
ballot,  a  president  to  preside  over  its  delibe- 
rations; and  one  or  more  secretaries,  to 
serve  during  the  sitting  of  the  conference; 
shall  also  judge  of  election  returns,  and 
qualifications  of  its  own  members,  and  form 
its  own  rules  of  order.  A  majority  of  all  the 
representatives  in  attendance,  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum. 

V.  The  ministers  and  laymen  shall  deli- 
berate in  one  body;  but  if,  upon  the  final 
passage  of  any  question,  it  be  required  by 
three  members,  the  ministers  and  laymen 
shall  vote  separately,  and  the  concurrence  of 
a  majority  of  both  classes  of  representatives 


24  CONSTITUTION. 

shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a  vote  of  the 
Conference. — A  similar  regulation  shall  be 
observed  by  the  annual  conferences. 

VI.  The  yeas  and  nays  shall  be  recorded  at 
the  call  of  one-fifth  part  of  the  members  present. 

VII.  The  conference  shall  publish  such 
parts  of  the  journal  of  its  proceedings,  as  it 
may  deem  requisite. 

VIII.  All  papers,  books,  &c.  belonging  to 
the  conference,  shall  be  preserved  as  that 
body  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

Powers  of  the  General  Conference. 

I.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  pow- 
er to  make  rules  and  regulations  for  the  Itin- 
erant, Missionary,  Literary,  and  every  other 
department  of  the  Church,  recognized  by  this 
Constitution. 

II.  To  fix  the  compensation  and  duties  of 
the  itinerant  ministers  and  preachers,  and  the 
allowance  for  their  wives,  widows  and  chil- 
dren; and  also,  the  compensation  and  duties 
of  the  Book  Agent,  Editor,  &,c.  and  to  de- 
vise ways  and  means  for  raising  funds. 

III.  To  regulate,  from  time  to  time,  the 
number  of  representatives  to  the  General  Con- 
ference; provided,  that  the  General  Confer- 
ence shall  at  no  time  exceed  one  hundred 
members. 

IV.  To  define  and   regulate  the  bounda- 


I  <t\«TITTTION\ 


25 


ries  of  the  respective  annual  conference  dis- 
tricts; provided,  however,  that  the  annual 
conference  of  any  two  or  more  districts, 
shall  have  power,  by  mutual  agreement,  to 
alter  their  respective  adjoining  boundaries,  or 
to  unite  and  become  one  district,  or  to  set 
off  a  new  district;  to  receive  into  their  re- 
spective limits  and  jurisdiction  any  station  or 
circuit,  which  does  not  belong  to  some  other 
district;  but  every  alteration  made  in  the 
boundaries  of  the  respective  districts,  -shall  be 
reported  to  the  ensuing  general  conference. 
ARTICLE  X. 
Restrictions  on  the  Legislative  Assemblies. 

I.  No  rule  shall  be  passed  which  shall  con- 
travene any  law  of  God. 

II.  No  rule  shall  be  passed  which  shall  in- 
fringe the  right  of  suffrage,  eligibility  to  of- 
fice, or  the  rights  and  privileges  of  our  minis- 
ters, preachers,  and  members,  to  an  impar- 
tial trial  by  committee,  and  of  an  appeal,  as 
provided  by  this  constitution. 

III.  No  rule  shall  be  passed  infringing 
the  liberty  of  speech,  or  of  the  press;  but  for 
every  abuse  of  liberty,  the  offender  shall  be 
dealt  with  as  in  other  cases  of  indulging  in 
sinful  words  and  tempers. 

IV.  No  rule,  except  it  be  founded  on  the 
holy  scriptures,  shall  be  passed  authorizing 
the  expulsion  of  any   minister,    preacher  or 

member. 
3 


2C  CONSTITUTION* 

V.  No  rule  shall  be  passed  appropriating' 
the  funds  of  the  church  to  any  purpose  ex- 
cept the  support  of  the  ministry,  their  wives, 
widows  and  children;  the  promotion  of  educa- 
tion, and  missions;  the  diffusion  of  useful 
knowledge;  the  necessary  expenses  conse- 
quent on  assembling  the  Conferences,  and  the 
relief  of  the  poor. 

VI.  No  higher  order  of  ministers  shall  be 
authorized  than  that  of  elder. 

VII.  No  rule  shall  be  passed  to  abolish  an 
efficient  itinerant  ministry,  or  to  authorize 
the  annual  conferences  to  station  their  min- 
isters and  preachers  longer  than  three  years, 
successively,  in  the  same  circuit,  and  two 
years  successively  in  the  same  station. 

VIII.  No  change  shall  be  made  in  the  re- 
lative proportions,  or  component  parts  of  the 
general  or  annual  conferences- 

ARTICLE  XL 

Officers  of  the   Church. 

Presidents  of  the  Annual  Conferences. 

1.  The  President  of  each  Annual  Conference 
shall  be  elected  annually,  by  the  ballot  of  a 
majority  of  the  members  of  the  conference. 
He  shall  not  be  eligible  more  than  three  years 
successively;  and  shall  be  amenable  to  that 
body  for  his  official  conduct. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  of  an 


CONSTITUTION.  27 

annual  conference,  to  preside  in  all  meetings 
of  that  body;  to  travel  through  the  district,  and 

viMt  all  the  circuits  and  stations,  and  to  be 

present,  a-  far  as  practicable,  at  all  the  quar- 
terly meetings  ami  camp  meetings  of  hi-  dis- 
trict; and.  m  the  recess  of  conference,  with  the 
assistance  of  two  or  more  elders,  to  ordain 
those  person!  who  may  be  elected  to  order-; 
to  employ  such  ministers,  preachers,  and  mis- 
sionaries, as  are  duly  recommended;  and  to 
make  such  changes  of  preachers  as  may  bo 
necessary,  provided  the  consent  of  the  preach- 
ers to  be  changed,  be  first  obtained;  and  to 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  required 
by  his  annual  conference. 

Ministers. 

1.  The  minister,  who  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  annual  conference,  to  the  charge  of  a  sta- 
tion or  circuit,  shall  be  styled,  the  Superinten- 
dent; and  shall  be  amenable  to  the  annual 
conference  for  his  ollicial  conduct. 

2.  The  minister  or  preacher  appointed  by 
the  annual  conference  to  assist  the  super- 
intendent in  the  discharge  of  his  pastoral 
duties,  shall  be  styled  the  Assistant;  and  shall 
be  amenable  to  the  annual  conference  for 
the  faithful  discharge  of  duty, 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  minister  and 
preacher  belonging  to  a  circuit  or  station,  to 
render  all  tin  pastoral  assistance  he  can,  con- 
sistently with  his  other  engagements;  but  no 
minister  or  preacher  shall  be  accountable  to 


26  CONSTITUTION. 

the  annual  conference  for  the  discharge  of 
ministerial  duty,  except  he  be  an  itinerant 
minister  or  preacher;  all  others  shall  be  ac- 
countable to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
their  circuit  or  station. 

4.  No  person  shall  be  recognized  as  an  itine- 
rant minister,  preacher  or  missionary,  whose 
name  is  not  enrolled  on  the  annual  confer- 
ence list,  or  who  will  not  be  subject  to  the  or- 
der of  the  conference. 

Class  Leaders. 

The  class  leaders  maybe  elected  annually 
by  the  members  of  their  respective  classes; 
but  if,  in  any  instance,  a  class  shall  neglect  or 
refuse  to  elect  a  leader,  when  one  is  want- 
ed, it  shall  then  be  the  duty  of  the  superin- 
tendent to  nominate  a  class  leader  for  said 
class,  and  from  the  nomination  or  nomina- 
tions made  by  the  superintendent,  the  class 
shall  make  an  election. 

Conference  Stewards. 
The  Conference  Steward  shall  be  elected 
annually  by  the  annual  conference,  and  dis- 
charge those  duties  assigned  to  him  by  the 
discipline,  and  be  amenable  to  the  annual 
conference  for  his  official  conduct. 

Station  and  Circuit  Stewards. 

The  Station  and  Circuit  Stewards  shall  be 
elected  annually;  in  the  stations,  by  the  male 


CONJTI TTTION.  29 

members,  including  ministers  and  preachers; 
and  in  the  circuits,  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence; Inn  every   qualified  male   member,   if 

present,  shall  be  permitted  to  vote  in  the  elec- 
tion   of    circuit     stewards.      The     number    of 

stewards  tor  each  circuit  or  station  to  be  not 
less  than  ihree,  nor  more  than  seven. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

Suffrage  and    Eligibility  to  Office. 

I.  Every  minister  and  preacher,  and  every 
white,  lay,  male  member,  m  full  communion 
and  fellowship,  having  attained  to  the  age  of 
twenty  one  years,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  in 
all  cai 

II.  Every  minister  and  preacher,  and 
every  white,  lay,  male  member,  in  full  com- 
munion and  fellowship,  having  attained  to 
the  aire  of  twenty-five  years,  and  having  been 
in  full  membership  two  years,  shall  be  eligible 
as  a  representative  in  the  general  confer- 
ence. 

III.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  as  a  delegate 
to  the  annual  conference,  or  as  a  steward', 
who  has  not  attained  to  the  age  of  twentv- 
one  years,  and  who  is  not  a  regular  com- 
municant of  this  Church. 

IV.  No  minister  shall  be  eligible  to  the 
othce  of  President  of  an  annual  conference, 
until    he  shall   have    faithfully   exercised  the 
office  of  elder  two  vears. 
3# 


30  CONSTITUTION*. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

Judiciary  Principles, 

I.  All  offences  condemned  by  the  word  of 
God,  as  being  sufficient  to  exclude  a  person 
from  the  kingdom  of  grace  and  glory,  shall 
subject  ministers,  preachers  and  members, 
to  expulsion  from  the  church. 

II.  The  neglect  of  duties  required  by  the 
word  of  God,  or  the  indulgence  in  sinful 
words  and  tempers,  shall  subject  the  offender 
to  admonition;  and  if  persisted  in,  after  re- 
peated admonitions,  to  expulsion. 

III.  For  preaching  or  disseminating  un- 
scriptural  doctrines,  affecting  the  essential  in- 
terests of  the  christian  system,  ministers, 
preachers,  and   members,  shall  be  liable  to 

.admonition;  and,  if  incorrigible,  to  expul- 
sion: Provided  always,  that  no  minister, 
preacher  or  member,  shall  be  expelled  for 
disseminating  matters  of  opinion  alone,  ex- 
cept they  be  such  as  are  condemned  by  the 
word  of  God. 

IV.  All  officers  of  the  church  shall  be  lia- 
ble to  removal  from  office,  for  maladminis- 
tration. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Privileges  of  accused  Ministers  and  Members, 
I.  In  all  cases  of  accusation  against  a  min- 
ister, preacher,  or  member,  the  accused  shall 
be  furnished  by  the  proper  authorities, with  a 


CONSTITUTION.  31 

copy  of  the  charges  and  specifications,  at 
least  twenty  days  before  the  time  appointed 
for  the  trial;  unless  the  parties  concerned 
prefer  going  into  trial  on  shorter  notice. 
The  accused  shall  have  the  right  of  challenge; 
the  privilege  of  examining  witnesses  at  the 
time  of  trial;  and  of  making  his  defence  in 
person  or  by  representative;  provided  such 
representative  he  a  member  of  the  church. 

II.  No  minister,  or  preacher,  shall  be  ex- 
pelled, or  deprived  of  church  privileges,  or 
ministerial  functions,  without  an  impartial 
trial  before  a  committee,  of  from  three  to  five 
ministers  or  preachers,  and  the  right  of  ap- 
peal; the  preachers,  to  the  ensuing  quarterly 
conference;  the  ministers  to  the  ensuing  an- 
nual conference. 

III.  No  member  shall  be  expelled  or  deprived 
of  church  privileges,  without  an  impartial  trial 
before  a  committee  of  three  or  more  lay  mem- 
bers, or  before  the  society  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  as  the  accused  may  require,  and 
the  right  of  an  appeal  to  the  ensuing  quarter- 
ly conference;  but  no  committee  man  who 
shall  have  sat  on  the  first  trial,  shall  sit  on  the 
appeal;  and  all  appeals  shall  be  final. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Discipline  Judiciary. 

1   Whenever  a  majority  of  all  the    annual 
conferences  shall  officially  call  for  a  judicial 


32 


CONSTITUTION. 


decision  on  any  rule  or  act  of  the  general 
conference,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  and 
every  annual  conference  to  appoint,  at  its 
next  session,  one  judicial  delegate,  having 
the  same  qualifications  of  eligibility  as  are 
required  for  a  representative  to  the  general 
conference.  The  delegates  thus  chosen, 
shall  assemble  at  the  place  where  the  gener- 
al conference  held  its  last  session,  on  the 
second  Tuesday  in  May  following  their  ap- 
pointment. 

II.  A  majority  of  the  delegates  shall  consti- 
tute a  quorum;  and  if  two-thirds  of  all  pre- 
sent, judge  said  rule  or  act  of  the  general 
conference  unconstitutional,  they  shall  have 
power  to  declare  the  same  null  and  void. 

III.  Every  decision  of  the  Judiciary  shall  be 
in  writing,  and  shall  be  published  in  the  pe- 
riodical belonging  to  this  church.  After  the 
Judiciary  shall  have  performed  the  duties  as- 
signed them  by  this  constitution,  their  pow- 
ers shall  cease;  and  no  other  judiciary  shall 
be  created  until  after  the  session  of  the  suc- 
ceeding general  conference. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

Special  call  of  the   General  Conference, 

1  Two-thirds  of  the  whole  number  of  the 
annual  conferences,  shall  have  power  to  call 
special  meetings  of  the  general  conference. 

II.   When   it  shall  have  been  ascertained 


CONSTITUTION.  83 

that  two-thirds  of  the  annual  conferences 
have  decided  in  favour  of  such  call,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  presidents,  or  a  majority  of 
them,  forthwith,  to  designate  the  time  and 
place  of  holding  the  same,  and  to  give  due 
notice  to  all  the  stations  and  circuits. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

Provision  for    Altering   the    Constitution. 

I.  The  General  Conference  shall  have 
power  to  amend  any  part  of  this  Consti- 
tution, except  the  second,  tenth  and  four- 
teenth articles,  by  making  such  alterations  or 
additions,  as  may  be  recommended  in  writing, 
by  two-thirds  of  the  whole  number  of  tho 
annual  conferences,  next  preceding  the  sit- 
ting of  the  general  conference. 

II.  The  second,  tenth  and  fourteenth  arti- 
cles of  this  constitution  shall  be  unaltera- 
ble, except  by  a  general  convention,  called 
for  the  special  purpose,  by  two-thirds  of  the 
whole  number  of  the  annual  conferences, 
next  preceding  the  general  conference. 
Which  convention,  and  all  other  conventions 
of  this  church,  shall  be  constituted  and  elect- 
ed in  the  same  manner  and  ratio,  as  prescribed 
for  the  general  conference.  When  a  Gen- 
eral convention  is  called  by  the  annual  con- 
ferences, it  shall  supercede  the  assembling  of 
the  general  conference  for  that  period;  and 
shall  have  power  to  discharge  all  the   duties 


34  CONSTITUTION. 

of  that  body,  in  addition  to  the  particular  object 
for  which  the  convention  shall  have  been  as- 
sembled. 


Resolved,  That  the  Judiciary  tribunal  provided 
for  by  the  15th  article  of  the  constitution  of  this 
Church,  shall  publish  as  well  the  reasons  of  their 
opinion  upon  the  part  or  provision  of  the  con- 
stitution supposed  to  have  been  contravened  by 
the  law,  or  laws,  provision  or  provisions,  con- 
sidered to  be  unconstitutional,  together  with 
their  decision. 

Whereas,  It  is  declared  by  this  convention, 
that  whatever  power  may  be  necessary  to  the 
formation  of  rules  and  regulations,  is  inherent  in 
the  ministers  and  members  of  the  Church;  and 
that  so  much  of  that  power  may  be  delegated 
from  time  to  time,  upon  a  plan  of  representation, 
as  they  may  judge  proper;  therefore,  Resolved, 
that  all  power  not  delegated  to  the  respective  of- 
ficial bodies  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
by  this  convention,  are  retained  to  said  ministers 
and  members. 

Baltimore,  Nov.  20,  1830. 


DISCIPLINE 
\1>MI--I<>\  TO   HI  HBBRSHIP« 

I  ition,  Article  ii. 

1 .    \  pplicttion  for  admission  to  church  fellow- 
ship must  1"'  made  to  the  superintendent,  or  in 
sence,  to  anj    minister,  preacher  or  lead- 
er, whose  (hay  it   shall  be,  with  the  consent  of 
>ciety  or  class,  to  enter  the  name  of  the 
applicant  <»n  the  lisl  of  probationers. 

\t.  In  stations,  where  the  church  does  not 
direot  an\  other  mode,  admittance  to  full  mem- 
bership  shall  be  b)  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  the 
•  a  regular  leaders'  meeting;  but  no 
i  shall  be  admitted  to  lull  membership  by 
a  leaders1  meeting,  without  a  recommendation 
from  the  class  of  which  he  or  she  is  a  member. 

S.  In  circuits,  the  list  of  probationers  shall 
be  occasionally  read  over,  by  one  of  the  officiat- 
ing ministers;  and,  in  every  instance  where  ama- 
cietj  or  class  v  ote  for  the  admis- 
sion  of  any  person  whose  name  stands  on  the 
list,  the  probationer  shall  he  admitted  to  full 
membership. 

TRIAL  OF  MINISTERS,    P&C&CHERS    \\l>  II RUBERS. 

See  the  Constitution,  Articles  xiii  and  xiv. 

1.   When  a  charge  of  immorality,  or  any  other 
offence,   recognized  by  the   thirteenth  article  of 


36  TRIAL  OF  MINISTERS, 

the  constitution,  is  preferred  against  a  minister 
or  preacher,  the  superintendent,  or  in  his  ab- 
sence any  other  minister  belonging  to  the  circuit 
or  station,  whom  he  may  select,  after  duly  notify- 
ing the  person  accused,  shall  appoint  a  commit- 
tee of  not  less  than  three,  nor  more  than  five 
ministers  or  preachers,  before  whom  the  accused 
shall  appear,  at  the  time  and  place  designated 
for  the  trial. 

The  accused  may  object  to  any  member  of  the 
committee,  on  account  of  his  having  prejudged 
the  case;  being  prejudiced  against  the  accused; 
or  of  being  interested  in  the  decision.  The  chal- 
lenge may  extend  to  twice  the  number  of  the 
original  committee.  The  superintendent,  or  ex- 
ecutive officer  in  the  case,  shall  be  confined 
to  the  limits  of  the  district  in  his  selections  of 
ministers  or  preachers  to  serve  on  the  commit- 
tee. During  any  trial,  the  ministers,  preachers, 
and  members  of  the  church  may  attend. 

2.  Accused  members  shall  be  tried  by  a  com 
mittee  created  in  the  following  manner;  viz. 
The  accused  shall  nominate  two  persons  in  full 
membership  and  good  standing.  The  class  of 
which  he  or  she  is  a  member  shall  nomitate  two 
more  members,  in  like  good  standing;  and  the 
four  persons  thus  chosen  shall  appoint  a  fifth, 
which  five  persons  shall  constitute  a  competent 
court  of  trial.  But  should  the  accused  refuse,  or 
neglect  to  nominate,  as  above  provided,  when 
timely  notice  shall  have  been  given,  the  pre- 
siding minister  shall  nominate  two  members 
of  the  committee   on   behalf  of  the   accused. 


i'Kiw<  in  us  and  UMIIMN  :W 

Provided,  however,  that  the  accused  shall  have 
the  right  to  challenge  any  person  chwen  as  a 
committee  man.  by  the  class,  l>\  assigning 
isfactory  reasons  for  sodping, of  winch  tin-  class 
shall  judge:  and  provided  also,  the  presiding 
officer  shall  have  the  right  to  challenge  the 
choice  of  the  accused  by  shewing  good  cause, 
of  which  the  claaa  Bhall  also  judge. 

.').  A  y -crciary  shall  be  appointed  by  thecoma 
mitteO)  to  t;ikc  down  regular  minutes  of  the  ev- 
idence and  proceedings  of  the  trial;  which,  to- 
gether with  a  copy  of  the  decision,  and  all  other 
documents  belonging  to  the  trial,  shall  be  pre- 
lerved  bj  the  superintendent,  \\\\<>  shall  furnish 
each  of  the  parties  with  a  copy  of  the  decision, 
if  required. 

4.  If   the   accused  be  found  guilty  of  the  of- 
.    the   committee,  or   a    majority    thereof, 

shall,  in  their  decision,  name  the  penalty  to 
which  the  accused  shall  be  subjected.  And  the 
superintendent  shall  carry  it  into  effect. 

5.  In  every  instance  of  condemnation,  the 
accused  minister,  preacher  or  member  determin- 
ing to  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  commit- 
tee, shall  signify  in  writing,  to  the  executive  min- 
ister, within  twenty  days  after  the  close  of  the 
trial,  his  determination  to  appeal,  and  in  default 
thereof  his  appeal  shall  not  lie. 

6.  If  an  accused  minister,  preacher,  or  mem- 
ber evade  trial  by  absenting  himself;  after  due  no- 
tice shall  have  been  given  him,    the  investiga- 

Ition   before  the  committee    shall,  nevertheless 


3S  TRIAL  OF  MINISTERS,  &,C 

be  instituted,  and  the  testimony  heard;  and  rf 
a  majority  of  the  committee  find  him  guilty  of 
the  charge,  the  executive  minister  shall  carry 
the  sentence  into  effect. 

7.  Should  the  accused  person  be  the  super- 
intendent, the  official  notifications,  appoint- 
ment of  the  committee,  &c.  shall  be  performed  by 
the  president  of  the  district,  or  such  other  min- 
ister as  he  may  appoint  for  the  purpose. 

8.  In  all  cases  of  personal  offence  between 
brethren,  the  direction  of  our  Lord  in  Mat. 
xviii.  15, — 17,  shall  be  pursued. 

"Moreover,  if  thy  brother  shall  trespass 
against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between 
thee  and  him  alone:  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou 
hast  gained  thy  brother." 

"But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take 
with  thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the  mouths'  of 
two  or  three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  es- 
tablished.5> 

"And  if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell 
it  unto  the  church:  but  if  he  neglect  to  hear 
the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as  a  heathen 
and  a  publican." 

9.  On  any  dispute  between  two  or  more  mem- 
bers of  our  church,  concerning  the  payment  of 
debts,  or  otherwise,  which  cannot  be  settled  by 
the  parties  concerned,  the  superintendent  shall 
recommend  to  the  contending  parties  a  refer- 
ence, consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the 
plaintiff  and  another  by  the  defendant;  the  two 
arbiters  to  choose  a  third,  a  majority  of  whom 
shall  decide  the  case. 


N 

leaders'  mlltinu. 
See  the  Constitution,  Article  v. 

1.  The  leaders'  meeting,  and  all  other  church 
meeting*,  shall  be  opened  and  concluded  with 
prayer.  A  xcrctarv  shall  he  appointed  by  the 
meeting  annually,  or  oftener  if  necessary,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be,  to  make  a  fair  record  of  the  pro- 

'  ceedmgs  in  a  hook  kept  for  the  purpc 

2.  The  names  of  all  the  leaders  shall  be  called 
over  at  every  meeting,  noting  those  present  or 
absent  and  the  amount  each  leader  pays  over  to 
the  stewards  or  treasurer,  as  weekly  or  quar- 
terly collections  from  his  class. 

3  The  leaders'  class  books  shall  be  examined 
quarterly,  by  the  meeting. 

4.  The  leaders'  meeting  shall  occasionally  in- 
quire into  the  punctuality  of  each  leader  in  meet- 
ing his  class,  visiting  his  sick*  and  delinquent 
members,  and  his  attendance  at  the  leaders' 
meeting;  and  all  prudent  means  shall  be  em- 
ployed to  induce  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of 
these  important  duties. 

5.  The  list  of  probationers  shall  be  read  over  at 
least  once  a  month,  and  all  those  probationer 
who  have  the  proper  recommendation  from  their 
class,  and  obtain  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  all  the 
leaders  present,  shall  be  admitted  to  full  member- 
ship, and  reported  to  the  church  on  the  first  suit- 
able occasion.   It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  respec- 

•Sick  members  should  inform  their  leader  of  their  in- 
disposition. 


40  QUARTERLY  CONFERENCE. 

tive  leaders,  on  the  following  class  day,  to  inform 
such  persons  of  their  reception,  and  to  exhort 
them  to  faithfulness  and  diligence  in  the  service 
of  the  Lord. 

6.  Inquiry  shall  be  made  by  the  superinten- 
dent, at  every  meeting,  for  the  sick,  and  those 
who  may  need  a  pastoral  visit. 

7.  All  appropriations  for  the  relief  of  the  poor 
in  the  station,  shall  be  made  by  the  leaders'  meet- 
ing, and  applied  by  the  stewards;  who  shall  visit 
the  suffering  member  or  members,  in  company 
with  the  leader,  and  administer  to  their  necessi- 
ties, in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the  meeting. 

8.  The  leaders'  meeting  shall  appoint  times 
for  holding  general  class  meetings,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  giving  all  the  members  an  opportunity 
of  speaking  the  one  to  the  other  of  the  grace  and 
mercy  of  God,  and  of  uniting  in  prayer  for  the 
out-pouring  of  the  holy  spirit,  and  the  revival 
of  true  andundefiled  religion  in  all  the  churches. 

On  those  occasions,  the  superintendent,  or 
one  of  the  other  ministers,  shall  conduct  the 
meeting,  and  particularly  avail  himself  of  the  op- 
portunity to  excite  in  the  members  holy  affec- 
tionsj  heavenly  mindedness,  and  zeal  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  salvatiouof  men. 

QUARTERLY    CONFERENCE. 

See  the  Constitution,  Article  vi. 
I.  The  quarterly  conference  shall   be  organ- 
ized  by  the    appointment  of  a   chairman  and 
secretary;  and  opened  by  reading  a  portion  of 
scripture  and  prayer. 


QUARTERLY    COW  EM*  41 

2.  Should  I  charge  of  immorality,  neglect  of 
christian  duty,  <»r  of  disseminating  unscriptural 
doctrines,  bo  exhibited  against  any  member  of 
the  conference  during  the  examination,  the  ac- 
cusation, together  with  the  names  of  the  ac- 
cuser and  witi  shall  be  referred  to  the 
proper  authorities,  to  be  investigated  in  accord- 
ance with  discipline 

3.  The  first  quarterly  conference  in  each  con- 
ference year,  shall  appoint  a  committee  of 
animation  to  assist,  advise  and  examine  candi- 
dates for  the  ministry.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  committee,  to  see  that  the  candidates  pur- 
sue the  course  of  reading  prescribed  by  the  dis- 
cipline; to  examine  them  occasionally  on  doc- 
trines, and  religious  experience*  and,  when  they 
shall  have  made  the  necessary  attainments,  to  give 
them  a  written  testimonial  of  their  qualifications. 
But  no  committee  shall  give  a  testimonial,  ex- 
cept the  candidate  be  a  man  of  unexceptionable 
moral  character,  genuine  piety,  and  have  respec- 
table attainments,  at  least,  an  ability  to  state, 
and  defend  the  leading  doctrines  of  Christianity. 

No  person  shall  be  licensed  to  preach,  ex- 
cept he  present  a  testimonial  from  the  com- 
mittee of  examination. 

The  following  questions  shall  be  put  to  each 
candidate,  and  if  he  answer  them  satisfactorily 
he  may  be  licensed. 

Have  you  faith  in  Christ;  and  are  you  striving 
to  be  holy  in  heart,  and  in  all  manner  of  conver- 
sation? 

4* 


42  QUARTERLY   CONFERENCE. 

Have  you  any  other  motive  in  requesting  li- 
cense to  preach,  than  a  desire  to  be  instru- 
mental in  edifying  the  church  of  God,  calling 
sinners  to  repentance,  and  saving  your  own  soul 
and  those  that  hear  you? 

Do  you  believe  that  the  holy  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments  contain  all  things  ne- 
cessary to  salvation? 

Have  you  examined  our  constitution  and  dis- 
cipline; do  you  approve  of  them,  and  are  you 
willing  to  comply  with  their  requirements? 

Are  you  solvent? 

4.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  designate 
the  times  and  places  for  preaching  in  the  circuit 
or  station,  and  every  new  preaching  place,  shall 
be  reported  to  the  ensuing  quarterly  conference, 
and  if  approved  of  by  that  body,  shall  be  entered 
on  the  list  of  appointments;  and  no  appointment 
on  a  circuit  shall  be  discontinued,  without  the 
approbation  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

5.  The  quarterly  conference  of  each  circuit 
and  station  shall  keep  a  register,  in  which  shall 
be  entered  the  names  of  all  the  males  in  full 
membership,  over  the  age  of  twenty-one  years; 
and  the  baptisms  and  marriages. 

6.  The  time  and  place  for  holding  the  suc- 
ceeding quarterly  conference,  shall  be  determin- 
ed on  by  the  conference;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  superintendent,  to  give  public  notice  from 
all  the  pulpits,  at  least  four  weeks  prior  to  the 
sitting  of  the  conference  in  a  circuit,  and  two 
weeks  in  a  station. 

7.  In  all  appeals  brought  before  the  quarterly 


ANNTAI,   <  ONFF.RFNCn.  43 

conference,  the  same  order  shall  be  observed, 
and  the  s;mic  privilege!  accorded  to  the  appel- 
ant and  accuser  as  are  granted  in  appeals  be- 
fore the  annual  conference! 

8.  No  minister,  preacher,  or  official  member, 
who  ah  all  have  been  suspended  by  a  committee, 
shall  perform  the  duties  of  his  oflice  while  his 
appeal  is  pending;  and  no  person  who  shall  have 
sat  on  a  case  in  committee,  or  who  was  the  ac- 
cuser shall  be  permitted  to  vote  on  the  appeal. 

9.  Each  quarterly  conference,  shall  have  pow- 
er to  receive  ministers  and  preachers  of  other 
denominations  into  full  fellowship  and  ministe- 
rial standing,  on  receiving  satisfactory  testimo- 
nials from  the  applicant. 

ANNUAL  CONFERENCE.       . 
See  the  Constitution,  Article  vii. 

1.  The  president  of  the  last  year  shall  open 
the  conference  by  reading  a  portion  of  the  word 
of  God,  and  prayer.  He  shall  preside  in  the 
conference  until  the  president  for  the  ensuing 
year  shall  have  been  elected.  A  secretary  shall 
be  appointed  to  serve  during  the  sitting  of  the 
conference* 

2.  The  conference  shall  judge  of  election  re- 
turns, and  qualifications  of  the  delegates.*  A 
majority  of  all  the  members  in  attendance  shall 
constitute  a  quorum. 

*  At  the  annual  conference  next  preceding  the  gene- 
ral conference,  all  the  delegates  must  be  laymen. 


44  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 

3.  Should  a  charge  of  immorality,  be  prefer- 
red against  any  ministerial  member  of  the  con- 
ference, during  the  examination  of  character,  the 
accusation,  together  with  the  names  of  the  accu- 
ser and  witnesses  shall  be  referred  to  the  presi- 
dent of  the  conference,  to  be  investigated  by  com- 
mittee, in  the  circuit  or  station  where  the  suppos- 
ed offence  is  alleged  to  have  been  committed. 

4.  No  minister  or  preacher  shall  be  received 
into  the  conference  to  itinerate,  except  he  have 
a  recommendation  from  a  quarterly  conference, 
or  a  certificate  from  an  annual  conference,  or 
the  president  thereof. 

5.  No  president  or  conference  shall  have 
power  to  withhold  a  testimonial,  if  the  minister 
or  preacher  requiring  it,  shall  have  complied 
with  his  engagements,  and  his  moral  character 
stand  fair;  but  neither  the  conference  into 
which  the  minister  or  preacher  desires  to  be 
received,  nor  its  president,  shall  be  obliged  to 
employ  him  as  an  itinerant  or  missionary,  except 
his  labours  can  be  profitably  directed. 

6.  Every  minister  or  preacher  received  by  the 
president,  during  the  interval  of  conference, 
shall  be  subjected  to  a  vote  of  the  conference 
before  his  name  can  be  printed  in  the  minutes 
as  a  stationed  minister  or  preacher,  except  in 
cases  of  transfer. 

7.  Itinerant  ministers  and  preachers  may  be 
transferred  from  one  district  to  another,  by  ne- 
gociation  between  the  presidents  of  said  dis- 
tricts, provided  the  minister  or  preacher  con- 
sent to  the  transfer.     All  acts  of  transfer,   thus 


\.\ni  U   OONFBUBTCB.  45 

made,  shnll  be  valid,  and  above  the  control  of 
ihe  annual  conferen< 

8.  Ministers  and  preachers  coming  Brom 
other  denominations  may  be  received  by  the 
conference,  or,  in  the  interval  of  conference, 
by  the  president,  without  their  having  the  recom- 
mendation required  io  other  ca 

9.  No  minister  or  preacher,  who  shell  have 
beeil  rejected  by  an  annual  conference,  shall  be 
employed  by  its  president,  unless  the  confer- 
ence grant  him  permission  under  specified  con- 
ditions. 

10.  Every  preacher  shall  be  eligible  to  dea- 
con's orders,  after  he  shall  have  preached  two 
years  under  a  license,  and  shall  have  arrived  at 
tin  age  of  twenty-one  years. 

11.  Every  deacon  shall  be  eligible  to  elder's 
orders,  when  he  shall  have  exercised  the  ollice 
of  deacon  acceptably  two  year-. 

12.  In  cases  of  missions  and  similar  necessi- 
preachers   may  be  elected  to    deacon's  or- 
ders, and  deacons  to  elder's  orders,  without   re- 
gard to  time,  provided  they  possess  the  requisite 
qualificatibns. 

13.  No  person  shall  be  elected  to  orders,  ex- 
cept lie  be  a  man  of  unexceptionable  moral 
character,  genuine  piety,  respectable  attain- 
ments, an.l  sound  in  the  belief  of  the  fundamen- 
tal doctrine-  of  Christianity,  and  faithful  in  the 
discharge  I  duties. 

11.  The  i§    -hall     have     authority     to 

preach   the  gospel  of  Christ,  to  baptize  and  eel- 


46  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 

ebrate  matrimony,  and  to  assist  the  elder  in  ad- 
ministering the  Lord's  supper. 

15.  The  elders  shall  have  authority  to  admin- 
ister the  Lord's  supper,  baptize,  celebrate  mat- 
rimony, and  perform  all  parts  of  divine  worship. 

16.  Ordination  shall  be  performed  by  the 
president,  assisted  by  two  or  more  other  eiders. 

17  Every  person  who  appeals  to  the  annual 
conference,  from  the  decision  of  a  committee 
of  trial,  shall  be  permitted  to  appear  before  the 
conference;  and  after  all  the  documents,  belong- 
ing to  the  trial  had  before  the  committee,  shall 
have  been  read,  shall  state  the  reasons  of  his  ap- 
peal. His  accuser  shall  then  be  permitted  to 
support  his  charges  in  the  presence  of  the  ap- 
pelant. The  appelant  may  in  turn  make  his  re- 
ply, which  shall  close  the  proceedings  on  both 
sides,  except  the  conference  grant  the  accuser 
permission  to  speak  a  second  time.  The  appel- 
ant and  accuser  shall  then  retire,  and  the 
conference  shall  decide,  and  furnish  the  appel- 
ant with  a  copy  of  their  decision.  Provided, 
that  in  all  cases  of  appeal,  the  tribunal  to  which 
the  appeal  is  made,  shall  not  enter  into  the  mer- 
its of  the  cause,  (except  at  the  request  of  the 
appelant)  but  only  to  decide  on  the  legality  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  committee  of  trial,  and 
either  confirm  or  reverse  the  same;  if  reversed, 
the  cause  shall  be  remanded  for  trial. 

18.  In  any  case,  however,  where  the  appelant 
can  shew  sufficient  cause  why  he  should  have 
a  new  trial  before  a  committee,  the  conference 
shall  grant  it.  with  the  privilege  of  an  appeal. 


ANNUAL  CONFFRKNcr  17 

19.  No  station  or  circuit  shall  be  divided,  un- 
less each  part  have  ability  to  support  one  or 
more  preachers,  and  the  delegate  from  the  cir- 
cuit or  station   request  the  division. 

20.  In  stationing  the  ministers  and  preachers, 
the  annual  conference  shall  not  be  obliged  to 
give  an  appointment  to  any  man,  who  in  the 
opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  members,  is  incom- 
petent to  the  duties  thereof,  or  who,  they  may 
believe,  will  neglect  the  appointment. 

21.  No  minister  or  preacher,  appointed  to  a 
circuit  or  station,  shall  cease  from  his  itinerant 
labours,  until  the  term  of  service  assigned  him 
shall  have  expired,  except  by  the  consent  of  the 
president. 

22.  The  annual  conferences,  respecti/ely,  shall 
elect  annually,  a  standing  committee  of  three 
elders,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  in  the  event  of 
the  death,  resignation  or  suspension  of  the 
president,  to  appoint  a  president  pro.  tern,  to 
serve  until  the  sitting  of  the  next  annual  confer- 
ence. 

Should  charges  be  preferred  against  the  presi- 
dent of  an  annual  conference,  the  committee 
shall  call  upon  one  of  the  superintendents  of 
the  district  to  perform  the  official  notifications, 
and  to  act  as  executive  officer  in  the  trial,  in 
accordance  with  the  rule  provided  for  the  trial 
of  ministers. 

23.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  itinerant  min- 
ister and  preacher,  to  furnish  annually  to  the 
steward  of  the  conference  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  a  certificate  from  the  station  or  circuit 


48  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE. 

steward,  shewing  the  amount  of  money  or  other 
articles  he  has  received,  as  compensation,  the 
preceding  year. 

24.  Each  annual  conference  shall  publish  its 
minutes,  containing,  1.  A  list  of  all  the  appoint- 
ments for  the  ensuing  year.  2.  A  complete  list 
of  all  the  stationed  and  unstationed  ministers 
and  preachers  within  the  district,  and  those  who 
are  superannuated.  3.  The  names  of  those  min- 
isters and  preachers  who  have  deceased,  with- 
drawn, or  been  expelled.  4.  The  general  ex- 
hibit of  the  conference  steward.  5  The  num- 
ber of  members,  including  ministers  and  preach- 
ers. 6.  The  time  and  place  of  holding  the  next 
annual  conference;  and  such  other  information 
as  may  be  deemed  acceptable  and  serviceable  to 
the  community. 

25.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  respective  an- 
nual conferences,  to  forward  to  the  book  agent 
and  editor,  post  paid,  such  extracts  from  their 
minutes,  annually,  as  they  may  deem  proper  for 
publication. 

26.  A  public  collection  shall  be  made  on  the 
first  Sabbath  of  the  conference,  in  all  the  houses 
of  worship  belonging  to  the  station  where  the 
conference  is  held,  for  the  purpose  of  defraying 
the  incidental  expenses  of  the  conference. 

27.  No  member  of  conference  shall  withdraw 
himself  from  its  sittings,  without  permission, 
until  all  the  business  shall  have  been  transacted. 


advict  TO  ■TIlIBTKRfl  A?  9ERS.       VJ 

Keep  your  own  soul  alive  to  God  by  iiwdita- 
lion,  prayer  and  searching  the  Bcriptnres,  daily. 
Elead   the  old   and   new  testam<  tdarly 

through,  if  practicable,   once   every   year;  and 

avail  yourself  of  all  the  helpa  within  your  reach 
to  obtain  a  correct-  understanding  of  the  word 
of  life.  "Study  to  shew  thyself  approved  unto 
Qed,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  asham* 
ed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth/' 

Neither  be  unemployed,  nor  engaged  about 
trifles.  Do  every  thing  at  the  time  appointed; 
and  complete  every  thing  you  commence. 
Never  disappoint  a  congregation,  nor  spend 
more  time  in  a  place  than  is  strictly  necessary. 
lur  constantly,  to  feel  the  high  responsibili- 
ties of  your  office  and  ministry;  take  heed 
that  the  blood  of  souls  be  not  found  on  your 
skirts. 

Be  an  example  of  the  believers,  in  word,  in 
conversation  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in 
purity;  and  avoid  all  affectation,  effeminacy, 
and  every  thing  like  austerity.  Be  affable  and 
courteous  in  your  manners;  and  let  your  whole 
deportment  be  mild  and  inoffensive.  "Learn  of 
me;"  said  the  blessed  Jesus,  "for  I  am  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart." 

In  your  dress,  keep  clear  of  the  two  extremes; 
antiquated    singularity   on    the    one   hand,  and 
fashionable  foppishness  on  the  other.     Abstain 
5 


50  DUTIES  OF    THE   SUPERINTENDENT* 

from  the  use  of  tobacco  in  all  its  forms;  and  use 
no  stimulating  liquors,  except  medicinally. 

Remember,  it  is  your  imperious  duty,  not  to 
preach  yourself,  but  Christ  crucified,  the  great 
sacrifice  for  sin,  and  the  only  Saviour  of  the 
world.  We,  "charge  thee,  therefore,  before  God 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  shall  judge  the 
quick  and  the  dead,  at  his  appearing;  preach  the 
word:  be  instant,  in  season,  out  of  season;  re- 
prove, rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long  suffering  and 
doctrine." 

DUTIES  OF  THE  SUPERINTENDENT. 
See  the  Constitution,  Artiele  xi. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  superintendent  of  a 
circuit  or  station,  to  fill  the  pulpits  or  have  them 
filled,  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the 
quarterly  conference;  and  to  administer  the  or- 
dinances, assisted  by  his  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try. 

2.  To  receive  persons  on  probation,  and  exe- 
cute discipline. 

3.  To  visit  all  the  classes,  at  least  once  a 
quarter,  if  practicable;  and  see  that  they  are  duly 
and  properly  met  by  their  respective  leaders. 

4.  To  give  due  notice,  from  all  the  pulpits  in 
his  circuits  or  station,  of  the  time  and  place  of 
holding  the  ensuing  quarterly  conference. 

5.  To  hold  love  feasts  and  watch  nights,  and 
appoint  prayer  meetings;  to  renew  the  tickets 
quarterly  for  the  admission  of  members  into  love 
feasts  in  stations,  and  to  give  notes  to  serious 


m  m  tl  01    1  :n-  SI  i  ■  BHTi  51 

qi  U  ho  d<  lire  to  be  present;  te  \  fail  the 
>i«  k.  the  poor,  I  he  a  jed  and  infirm  members 
well  ad  those  in  health  and  better  circumstances. 
(>.  To  detain  the  societj  occasionally,  after 
preaching,  for  ilio  purpose  of  giving  them  such 
adfice  and  exhortation  as  may  be  requisite. 

7.  To  organise  the  children   of  members  in 
classes  of  moderate  Bize,  and  appoint  buiI 
leaders,  male  or  female;  whose  duty  it  shall  be, 
to  instruct  them  in  the  principles  and  pra< 

of  the  christian  religion* 

We  consider  the  religious  instruction  of  chil- 
dren to  be  one  of  the  most  imperious  obligations 
of  Christianity;  therefore,  every  superintendent 
shall  i  far  aa  practicable,  the  children  of 

our  community,  for  the  purposes  of  religious  in- 
struction: shall  report  the  number  and  state 
of  th(  onference    annually;  and 

shall  be  held  equally  responsible  to  the  confer- 
ence fortius  pari  of  his  duty  as  for  any  other. 

8.  To  k<  \,trt  record  of  all  the  mem- 
bers 1 1  uon  or  circuit,  and  of 
the  baptisms,  and  marriages;  and  report  the  same 
to  the  quarterly  conference,  and  the  numbers  in 

ty  in  his  c  i  the  annual  conference. 

i).  To  i  irterly,  when  practicable,  to 

the  president,  the  state  of  his  circuit  or  station; 
and,  at  the  close  of  his  year,  to  leave  his  succes- 
plan  of  the  cin  nit. 
10.  To  i  to  those  who  d< 

to  remove  to  anol  lei  Btation,  circuit,  or  society. 
No  superintendent  shall  withhold  a  certificate 
or  testimonial  from  persons  whose  moral  char 


52  DUTIES  OF  CLASS  LEADERS. 

stands  fair.  A  suitable  testimonial  shall  not  be 
withheld  from  those  who  purpose  to  withdraw 
from  the  fellowship  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church. 

11.  The  superintendent  shall  have  authority 
to  cause  his  assistant  minister  or  preacher  to  aid 
him  in  the  discharge  of  all  the  above  named  du- 
ties; and  also,  if  necessary,  to  employ  other  min- 
isters, or  official  members  of  the  circuit  or  sta- 
tion, to  assist  him. 

DUTIES  OF    CLASS    LEADERS. 

See  the  Constitution,  Article  xi. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  class  leader — 

1.  To  meet  his  class  once  a  week,  in  order; 
To    instruct  the   members  in  the  principles 

and  duties  of  Christianity;  to  comfort  them  in  af- 
fliction; to  advise  them  in  cases  of  difficulty;  and 
to  exhort  them  to  diligence  and  perseverance  in 
doing  and  suffering  the  whole  will  of  God. 

2.  To  receive  what  they  are  willing  to  give 
towards  the  relief  of  the  preachers,  church,  and 
poor. 

Each  leader  shall  have  the  names  of  all  the 
members  of  his  class  entered  in  a  book  or  paper, 
kept  by  him  for  the  purpose,  in  which  he  shall 
note,  weekly,  the  presence  or  absence  of  each 
member,  and,  give  each  one  credit  on  the  book 
or  paper  for  the  amount  contributed. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  each  leader  to 
attend  the  leaders'  meeting  at  all  its  meetings,  to 


DttTIIS  01     PHI  C0NFERENC1 

represent  the  state  of  hia  cla  over  to 

the    stewards    what    he    has 
inform  the   snperiutendenl  of  an)  that  .'ire  Bick, 
01  Deed  a  pastoral  visit. 

t.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  leader  to  visit 

the  sick,  and  those  members  who  frequently  ab- 

i  from  tins  means  of  gra<  e;  and 

to  promote  the  spiritual,  temporal,  and  eternal 

interests  of  those  committed  to  his  caie. 

Cla  should  occasionally  meet  each 

others  classes;  and  also  vary  tin  exercises  in 
those  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  making  them 
interesting,  lively,  and  spiritual. 

It  is  recommended,  whenever  practicable,  that 
HO  cli    l<         ed  thirty  in    number,  and    that   no 
continue  longer  than  one  hour. 

I  WARDS. 

'     nstitution,  Article-  \i. 

].  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  stew- 
ard, to  receive  the  money-  collected  t<>  meet  the 
incidental  expense  -  of  the  conference,  and  for 
making  up  deficiencies  in  the  allowance  of  the 
efficient,  and  superannuated  ministers  and 
preachers,  their    wives,    widows,  and  children. 

\t.  To]  f  the  funds  received,  the  con- 

tmj.  at  «  f  the  conference;  and  to  pay 

to  the  preachl  rs  tl  OlKributed    lor    their 

relief,  as  contemplated  by  the  discipline,  and  by 
those  individuals  or  societies  whose  liberality 
shall  have  prompted  them  to  aid  in  this  good 
work. 

5# 


54      DUTIES  OF  THE  CONFERENCE  STEWARDS. 

The  funds  held  by  the  steward,  shall  be  equal- 
ly divided  among  all  the  claimants,  except  where 
individuals  or  societies  direct  a  specific  appro- 
priation of  any  part  of  their  contributions.  But 
no  one  shall  receive  more  than  the  allowance 
fixed  by  this  convention  or  the  general  confer- 
ence. 

In  settling  with  the  preachers,  the  conference 
steward  shall  account  with  them  for  all  books 
and  newspapers  received  by  them  on  account  of 
the  book  agent  and  editor.  He  shall  pay  no 
preacher's  travelling  expenses,  to  or  from  the 
conference — these  must  be  paid  by  the  preach- 
ers themselves,  and  be  refunded  to  them  by  the 
stewards  of  the  circuits  or  stations  to  which  they 
may  be  appointed  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  travelling  expenses  of  the  delegates,  must 
be  met  by  the  respective  circuits  and  stations 
which  send  them  up  to  conference,  if  they  de- 
mand reimbursement. 

3.  To  make  out  an  accurate  exhibit,  at  con- 
ference, shewing; 

1st.  What  each  preacher  has  received  from 
his  circuit  or  station,  during  the  past  year. 

2.  The  amount  paid  to  each  out  of  the  funds 
received  for  the  relief  of  the  preachers. 

3.  The  amount  forwarded  to  conference  from 
each  circuit  and  station  as  conference  collec- 
tion, and  the  respective  sums  forwarded  by  in- 
dividuals or  societies. 

The  conference  may  appoint  two  or  more  del- 
egates to  assist  the  conference  steward. 


DUTIES  Of  THE  CIRCUIT  AND  81  '  riOfl   v  I  I  .u 

institution,    \ 

i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  stewards  of  a 
on,  10  recen  e  and  take  an  e 
unt  of  the  ordinary  church  am'  class  collec- 
tions, and  all  appropriations  made  for  t\u*  sup- 
port of  the  preachers  in  the  station  or  circuit; 
to  pay  to  the  preachers  quarterly,  or  oftener  if 
nee,  isary,  their  allowance,  out  of  the*  Funds  re- 
ceiver; to  meet  all  contingent  expenses;  and  to 
make  an  accurate  return  to  I  .  or  quar- 

terly conference)  of  their  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments during  each  quarter,  arid  a  fair  exhibit 
of  the  temporal  condition  of  the  station  or  cir- 
cuit. 

To  make  the  necessary  provision  and  pre- 
paration lor  the  Lord's  supper  and  love  feast;  to 
receive  the  collections  made  on  those  occasions, 
and  all  other  moneys  contributed  tor  the  relief  of 
the  poor.  And  to  distribute  those  funds  as  oc- 
casion may  require;  in  stations,  as  the  leaders' 
meeting  may  direct;  "and  in  circuirs.  according 
to  their  best  judgment,  having  special  regard  to 
those  poor  members  who  are  the  most  necesai- 
t0V8  and  deserving.  The  stewards  shall  make 
a  quarterly  return  to  the  society,  or  quarterly  con- 
ference, of  their  poor  collections  and  distribu- 
tions, and  the  state  of  those  funds. 

3.  To  use  all  proper  means,  when  necessary, 
to  induce  the  members,  and   those  who  sit  n 
larly  under  our  ministry,  tobp  liberal  in  their  con- 
tributions. 


5G      GENERAL  DUTIES  OF  TRUSTEES. 

The  stewards  shall  keep  a  separate  book  fof 
the  purpose  of  entering  the  weekly,  monthly,  or 
quarterly  donations  made  by  those  who  are  not 
members  of  the  church. 

4.  To  see  that  a  conference  collection  be 
taken  up,  some  time  in  the  last  quarter,  pre- 
viously to  the  sitting  of  the  annual  conference, 
both  in  the  classes  and  in  the  congregations. 
The  whole  collection,  when  made,  shall  be  for- 
warded by  the  stewards  to  the  conference  stew- 
ard. 

5.  The  stewards  shall  also  see  that  a  collec- 
tion be  taken  up  some  time  in  the  year  preced- 
ing the  sitting  of  the  general  conference,  and 
forward  the  amount  to  that  body,  to  assist  in  de- 
fraying the  expenses  of  assembling  the  represen- 
tatives, &,c, 

6.  The  stewards  of  each  circuit  and  station 
shall  furnish  each  itinerant  minister  and  preach- 
er in  their  circuit  or  station,  previously  to  his 
going  up  to  conference,  with  a  certificate,  shew* 
ing  the  amount  of  money  or  other  articles  he  has 
received,  as  quarterage,  &,c.  during  the  year. 

GENERAL  DUTIES  OF  TRUSTEES. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees,  to  hold 
the  property  of  individual  churches  in  trust  for 
the  use  and  benefit  of  the  members  thereof;  and 
to  fill  up  all  vacancies  occasioned  in  their  board 
by  death,  resignation,  or  ceasing  to  be  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  or  other- 
wise, during  their  period  of  service. 

We  recommend,  that  in  all  deeds,  the  trus- 


vsrai  m  rni  oi  1 1  $7 

tees  elected  to  serve  for  any  definite  term  of 
-.  be  authorized  to  remain  in   office   until 
other  trustees  shall  ha\ e  bees  eh  pi  in 

of  resignation,  ^v  c. 

2,  To  hold  j><  riodical  meetings,  and  keep  a 
l;nr  and  regular  record  of  all  the  transactions  of 
their  beard,  in  a  book  provided  for  the  purp  ise, 
which  shall  at  all  times  be  open  for  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  members  of  the  church. 

'•).  To  Uke  care  of  the  church  property,  fur- 
niture, and  premises,  burial  ground,  &c« 

L  The  trustees  shall  have  power,  when  au- 
thorized bv  two-thirds  of  the  male  members,  over 
the  age  of  twenty-  one  years,  assembled  at  a  reg- 
ular meeting  for  the  purpose,. to  purchase,  build, 
repair,  lease,  sell,  rent,  mortgage,  or  otherwise 
procure  or  dispose  of  property,  and  on  no  other 
condition  or  conditions  whatever* 


(58) 
JOHN  AND  CHARLES  WESLEYS' 

GENERAL,  RULES. 

I.  There  is  one  only  condition  previously  re- 
quired of  those  who  desire  admission  into  these 
Societies,  a  desire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  be  saved  from  their  sins:  But,  whenever  this 
is  really  fixed  in  the  soul,  it  will  be  shown  by  its 
fruits.  It  is  therefore  expected  of  all  who  con- 
tinue therein,  that  they  continue  to  evidence 
their  desire  of  salvation, 

First,  By  doing  no  harm,  by  avoiding  evil  in 
every  kind;  especially  that  which  is  most  gen- 
erally practised.     Such  as 

The  taking  the  name  of  God  in  vain: 
The  profaning  the  day  of  the  Lord,  either  by 
doing  ordinary  work  thereon,  or  buying  or  sell- 
ing: 

Drunkenness,  buying  or  selling  spirituous  li- 
quors; or  drinking  them,  unless  in  cases  of  ex- 
treme necessity: 

Fighting,  quarrelling,  brawling;  brother  going 
to  law  with  brother;  returning  evil  for  evil,  or 
railing  for  railing:  The  using  many  words  in 
buying  or  selling: 

The  buying  or  selling  an  customed  goods: 
The  giving  or  taking  things  on  usury:  i.  e.  un- 
lawful interest: 

Uncharitable  or  unprofitable  conversation;  par- 
ticularly speaking  evil  of  magistrates,  or  of  min- 
isters: 


WIS]  i  \  S1  ».r\  KH  1 1    i:'  U  li 

Doing  to  oth(  n  h  we  would  no;  they  should 
do  unto  as: 

I)  ting  what  we  know  id  nol  for  the  glorj  of 
God: 

\<.  The  putting  on  of  gold  or  costly  apparel: 

The  taking  such  diversions  as  cannot  be  used 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus: 

The  tinging  those  songs,  or  reading  those 
honks,  winch  do  not  tend  to  the  knowledge  or 
Jove  of  God: 

Softness,  and  needless  self-indulgence. 

Laying  up  treasure  upon  earth: 

Borrowing  without  a  probability  of  paying;  or 
taking  op  goods  without  a  probability  of  pay- 
ing lor  them. 

II.  It  is  exported  of  all  who  continue  in 
these  Societies,  that  they  continue  to  evidence 
their  desire  of  sali  ation, 

Secondly,  bj  doing  good,  by  being  in  every 

kind  merciful  alter  thnr  power,  as  they  have 
opportunity,  doing  good  of  every  possible  sort, 
and.  as  tar  as  is  possible  to  all  men: 

To  their  bodies,  6f  the  ability  which  God 
thj  by  giving  food  to  the  hungry,  by  clothing 
the  naked,  by  visiting  or  helping  them  that  are 
sick  or  in  prison* 

To  their  souls,  by  instructing,  reproving,  or 

exhorting   all  any    intercourse    with; 

trampling  under  toot  that  enthusiastic  doctrine 
of  devils,  that  "We  are  not  to  do  good  unless 
our  hearts  befn 

By  doing  good  especially  to  them  that  arc  of 


60  WESLEYS'*    GENERAL    RULES. 

the  household  of  faith,  or  groaning  so  to  be;  em- 
.  ploying  them  preferable  to  others,  buying  one 
of  another,  helping  each  other  in  business,  and 
so  much  the  more,  because  the  world  will  love 
its  own  and  them  only.  . 

By  all  possible  diligence  and  frugality,  that 
the  Gospel  be  not  blamed. 

By  running  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set 
before  them,  denying  themselves,  and  taking  up 
their  cross  daily;  submitting  to  bear  the  reproach 
of  Christ;  to  be  as  the  filth  and  orTscouring  of 
the  world;  and  looking,  that  men  should  "say 
all  manner  of  evil  of  them  falsely,  for  the  Lord's 
sake." 

III.  It  is  expected  of  all  who  desire  to  con- 
tinue in  these  Societies,  that  they  continue  to  evi- 
dence their  desire  of  salvation. 

Thirdly,  By  attending  on  all  the  ordinances 
of  God: — such  are, 

The  public  worship  of  God:  The  ministry  of 
the  word,  either  read  or  expounded: 

The  Supper  of  the  Lord;  family  and  private 
prayer:  searching  the  Scriptures;  and  fasting  or 
abstinence. 

These  are  the  general  rules  of  our  Societies, 
all  which  we  are  taught  of  God  to  observe,  even 
in  his  written  word,  the  only  rule,  and  the  suf- 
ficient rule  both  of  our  faith  and  practice.  And 
all  these,  we  know  his  Spirit  writes  on  every 
truly  awakened  heart.  If  there  be  any  among 
us  who  observe  them  not,  who  habitually  break 
any  of  them,  let  it  be  made  known  unto  them 


WWilMYl  r>  J 

who  watohoTer  that  soul,  as  they  that  must 

an  account.    \\  Y  will  admonisfi  him  of  the  i 

of  hi-  wa\.-.  We  will  beat  with  him  tur  a  BeUOIh 

Hut   then,   if  he  repent   not,  he  hath  no  more 

place  among  110.     We  btfre  delivered  our  own 

souls. 

JOHN  WESLEY, 
CHARLES  WESLEY. 

London,  May  I,  1743. 


(62) 

ARTICLES  OF  RELIGION. 

I.  Of  Faith  in  the  Holy  Trinity. 

There  is  but  one  living  and  true  God,  ever- 
lasting, without  body  or  parts,  of  infinite  power, 
wisdom,  and  goodness,  the  maker  and  preserver 
of  all  things,  visible  and  invisible.  And  in  unity  of 
this  Godhead,  there  are  three  persons  of  one 
substance,  power  and  eternity; — the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  he  Holy  Ghost. 

II.   Of  the   Word,  or  the  Son  of  God,  who  was 
made  very  Man. 

The  Son,  who  is  the  Word  of  the  Father, 
the  very  and  eternal  God,  of  one  substance  with 
the  Father,  took  man's  nature  in  the  womb  of 
the  blessed  Virgin:  so  that  two  whole  and  per- 
fect natures,  that  is  to  say,  the  God-head  and 
manhood,  were  joined  together  in  one  person, 
never  to  be  divided,  whereof  is  one  Christ, 
very  God  and  very  man,  who  truly  suffered,  was 
crucified,  dead  and  buried,  to  reconcile  his  fa- 
ther to  us,  and  to  be  a  sacrifice,  not  only  for 
original  guilt,  but  also  for  actual  sins  of  men. 

III.  Of  the  Resurrection  of  Christ. 

Christ  did  truly  rise  again  from  the  dead,  and 
took  again  his  body,  with  all  things  appertaining 
to  the  perfection  of  man's  nature,  wherewith  he 
ascended  into  heaven,  and  there  sitteth  until  he 
return  to  judge  all  men  at  the  last  day. 


ARTICLES  OF  RELIOIOK.  63 

IV.    Of  the  J  My  Ghost. 

The  Holy  (ihost,  proceeding  from  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  i.^  of  one  substance,  majesty,  and 
glory  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  very  and 
eternal  God. 

V.  The   Sufficiency  of   the  Holy  Scriptures  for 
Salvation. 

The  Holy  Scripture  contains  all  things  necessa- 
ry to  salvation:  so  that  whatsoever  is  not  read 
therein,  nor  may  be  proved  thereby,  is  not  to  be 
required  of  any  man,  that  it  should  be  believed 
as  an  article  of  faith,  or  be  thought  requsite  or 
necessary  to  salvation.  In  the  name  of  the 
Holy  Scripture,  we  do  understand  those  canon- 
ical books  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament,  of 
whose  authority  was  never  any  doubt  in  the 
church. 

The  names  of  the  Canonical  Books. 

Genesis, 

Exodus, 

Leviticus, 

Numbers, 

Deuteronomy, 

Joshua, 

Judges, 

Ruth, 

The  First  Book  of  Samuel, 

The  Second  Book  of  Samuel, 

The  First  Book  of  Kings, 


64  ARTICLES  OF  RELIGION. 

The  Second  Book  of  Kings, 

The  First  Book  of  Chronicles, 

The  Second  Book  of  Chronicles, 

The  Book  of  Ezra, 

The  Book  of  Nehemiah, 

The  Book  of  Esther, 

The  Book  of  Job, 

The  Psalms, 

The  Proverbs, 

Ecclesiastes,  or  the  Preacher, 

Cantica,  or  Songs  of  Solomon, 

Four  Prophets  the  greater, 

Twelve  Prophets  the  less: 

All  the  Books  of  the  New  Testament,  as 
they  are  commonly  received,  we  do  receive  and 
account  canonical. 

VI.  Of  the  Old  Testament. 

The  Old  Testament  is  not  contrary  to  the 
New:  for  in  both  the  Old  and  New  Testament, 
everlasting  life  is  offered  to  mankind  by  Christ, 
who  is  the  only  Mediator  between  God  and  man, 
being  both  God  and  man.  Wherefore,  they  are 
not  to  be  heard,  who  feign  that  the  old  fathers  did 
look  only  for  transitory  promises.  Although  the 
law  given  from  God  by  Moses,  as  touching  cer- 
emonies and  rites,  doth  not  bind  christians,  nor 
ought  the  civil  precepts  thereof  of  necessity 
be  received  in  any  commonwealth;  yet,  notwith- 
standing, no  christian  whatsoever  is  free  from 
the  obedience  of  the  commandments  which  are 
called  moral. 


ARTICLES   0?  RELICIOX.  f>3 

VII.  Of  Original  Sin. 

Original  sin  standeth  not  in  the  following  of 
Adam  (as  the  Pelagians  do  vainly  talk)  but  it  is 
the  corruption  of  the  nature  of  every  man,  that 
naturally  if  engendered  of  the  offspring  of  Adam, 

whereby  man  is  very  far  gone  from  original  right- 
eousness, and  of  his  own  nature  inclined  to  evil, 
and  that  continually. 

VIII.    Of  Free   Will. 

The  condition  of  man  after  the  fall  of  Adam 
is  such,  that  he  cannot  turn  and  prepare  himself 
by  his  own  natural  strength  and  works  to  faith, 
and  calling  upon  God:  Wherefore  we  have  no 
power  to  do  good  works,  pleasant  and  accept- 
able to  God,  without  the  grace  of  God  by  Christ 
preventing  us,  that  we  may  have  a  good  will, 
and  working  with  us,  when  we  have  that  good 
will. 

IX-   Of  the  Justification  of  Man. 

We  are  accounted  righteous  before  God,  only 
for  the  merit  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  by  faith,  and  not  for  our  own  works  or 
deservings; — Wherefore,  that  we  are  justified 
by  faith  only,  is  a  most  wholesome  doctrine, 
and  very  full  of  comfort. 

X.   Of  Good  Works. 

Although  good  works,  which  are  the  fruits  of 
faith,  and   follow  after  justification,  cannot  put 
6- 


66  ARTICLES  OF  RELIGION. 

sway  our  sins,  and  endure  the  severity  of  God's 
judgments;  yet  are  they  pleasing  and  accepta- 
ble to  God  in  Christ,  and  spring  out  of  a  true 
and  lively  faith,  insomuch  that  by  them  a  lively 
faith  may  be  as  evidently  known,  as  a  tree  is 
discerned  by  its  fruit. 

XL   Of  Works  of  Supererogation. 

Voluntary  works,  besides,  over  and  above 
God's  commandments,  which  are  called  works  of 
supererogation,  cannot  be  taught  without  arro- 
gancy  and  impiety. — For  by  them  men  do  de- 
clare, that  they  do  not  only  render  unto  God 
as  much  as  they  are  bound  to  do,  but  that  they 
do  more  for  his  sake  than  of  bounden  duty  is 
required:  Whereas  Christ  saith  plainly,  When 
ye  have  done  all  that  is  commanded,  you  say, 
We  are  unprofitable  servants. 

XII.  Of  sin  after  justification. 

Not  every  sin  willingly  committed  after  jus- 
tification, is  the  sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
unpardonable.  Wherefore,  the  grant  of  repent- 
ance is  not  to  be  denied  to  such  as  fall  into  sin 
after  justification:  After  we  have  received  the 
Holy  Ghost,  we  may  depart  from  grace  given, 
and  fall  into  sin,  and  by  the  grace  of  God, 
rise  again,  and  amend  our  lives.  And  there- 
fore they  are  to  be  condemned,  who  say  they 
can  no  more  sin  as  long  as  they  live  here;  or 
deny  the  place  of  forgiveness  to  such  as  truly 
repent. 


Mi  1  [<    1 .1   I     nl      Kll.li.lON  G7 

XUL  Qfthe  Chunk. 

The  rifible  Church  of  Christ  is  a  congrega- 
tion <>t  Faithful  men,  in  which  the  pure  word  of 
God  is  preached,  and  the  sacraments  duly  ad- 
ministered according  to  Christ's  ordinance,  in 
all  those  things  that  of  necessity  arc  requisite  to 
inc. 

XIV.   Of  Purgatory. 

The  Romish  doctrine  concerning  purgatory 
pardon,  worshipping,  and  adoration,  as  well  of 
jes,  as  of  relics,  and  also  invocation  of  saints, 
is  a  fond  thing  vainly  invented,  and  grounded 
upon  no  warrant  of  scripture,  but  repugnant  to 
the  word  of  God. 

XV.   Of  %pcakt*g  in  the  Congregation  in  such  a 
Tongue  as  the  People  understand. 

It  is  a  thing  plainly  repugnant  to  the  word  of 
God,  and  the  custom  of  the  primitive  church,  to 
have  public  prayer  in  the  church,  or  to  minister 
the  sacraments  in  a  tongue  not  understood  by 
the  people. 

XVI.   Of  the  Sacraments. 

Sacraments  ordained  of  Christ,  are  not  only 
badges  or  tokens  of  christian  men's  profession: 
but  rather  they  are  certain  signs  of  grace,  and 
God's  good-will  towards  us,  by  the  which  he 
doth    work   invisibly   in   us,   and  doth  not  only 


68  ARTICLES  OP  RELI6I0K. 

quicked,  but  also,  strengthen  and  confirm  our 
faith  in  him. 

There  are  two  sacraments  ordained  of  Christ 
our  Lord,  in  the  gospel;  that  is  to  say,  Baptism 
and  the  supper  of  the  Lord. 

Those  five  commonly  called  sacraments,  that 
is  to  say,  Confirmation,  Penance,  Orders,  Mat- 
rimony, and  extreme  Unction,  are  not  to  be 
counted  for  Sacraments  of  the  Gospel,  being 
such  as  have  partly  grown  out  of  the  corrupt 
following  of  the  Apostles;  and  partly  are  states 
of  life  allowed  in  the  Scriptures,  but  yet  have  not 
the  like  nature  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, because  they  have  not  any  visible  sign  or 
ceremony  ordained  of  God. 

The  Sacraments  were  not  ordained  of  Christ 
to  be  gazed  upon,  or  to  be  carried  about;  but 
that  we  should  duly  use  them.  And  in  such 
only  as  worthily  receive  the  same,  they  have  a 
wholesome  effect  or  operation:  but  they  that  re- 
ceive them  unworthily,  purchase  to  themselves 
condemnation,  as  St.  Paul  saith.     1  Cor.  xi.  29. 

XVII.   Of  Baptism. 

Baptism  is  not  only  a  sign  of  profession,  and 
mark  of  difference,  whereby  christians  are  dis- 
tinguished from  others  that  are  not  baptised; 
but  it  is  also  a  sign  of  regeneration,  or  the  new 
birth:  The  baptism  of  young  children  is  to  be 
retained  in  the  church. 


A KTH  LBS   OF   H ELK  G¥ 

Will,    (n't fit  Lard's  SupptT. 

The  rapper  of  the  Lord  is  not  only  a  sign 
thai  Christiana  ought  to  have  among  themselves 

one  to  another,  but  rather  i-  ;i  Bacrament  of  our 

redemption  by  Christ's  death:  insomuch,  that 
h  as  rightly,  worthily,  and  with  faith  receive 
the  same,  the  bread  which  we  break  is  a  par- 
taking  of  the  body  of  Christ;  and  likewise  the 
cnp  of  bit  a   partaking  of  the  blood  of 

Christ. 

Transnbstantiation,  or  the  change  of  the  sub- 
stance of  bread  and  wine  in  the  supper  of  our 
Lord,  cannot  be  proved  by  holy  writ;  but  is  re- 
pugnant to  the  plain  words  of  scripture,  over- 
throweth  the  nature  of  a  sacrament,  and  hath 
given  to  many  superstitions. 

The  body  of  Christ  is  given,  taken,  and  eaten, 
in  the  supper,  only  after  a  heavenly  and  scrip- 
tural manner.  And  the  means  whereby  the 
body  of  Christ  is  received  and  eaten  in  the  sup- 
per, is  faith. 

The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  not 
by  Christ's  ordinance  reserved,  carried  about, 
lifted  up,  or  worshipped. 

XIX.   Of  both  kinds. 

The  cup  of  the  Lord  is  not  to  be  denied  to 
the  lay-people,  for  both  the  parts  of  the  Lord's 
supper  by  Christ's  ordinance  and  commandment 
ought  to  be  administered  to  all  christians  alike. 


70  ARTICLES  OF  RELIOIOX, 

XX.  Of  the  one  oblation  of  Christ  finished  upon 
the  Cross. 

The  offering  of  Christ  once  made,  is  that  per- 
fect redemption,  propitiation,  and  satisfaction 
for  all  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  both  original 
and  actual:  and  there  is  none  other  satisfaction 
for  sin  but  that  alone.  ( Wherefore  the  sacrifice 
of  masses  in  the  which  it  is  commonly  said  that 
the  priest  doth  offer  Christ  for  the  quick  and  the 
dead,  to  have  remission  of  pain  or  guilt,  is  a 
blasphemous  fable,  and  dangerous  deceit. 

XXI.  Of  the  Marriage  of  Ministers. 

The  ministers  of  Christ  are  not  commanded 
by  God's  law  either  to  vow  the  state  of  single 
life,  or  to  abstain  from  marriage;  therefore  it  is 
lawful  for  them,  as  for  all  other  christians,  to 
marry  at  their  own  discretion,  as  they  shall  judge 
the  same  to  serve  best  to  godliness. 

XXII.  Of  the  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  Churches. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  rites  and  ceremonies 
should  in  all  places  be  the  same,  or  exactly  alike, 
for  they  have  been  always  different,  and  may  be 
changed  according  to  the  diversity  of  countries, 
times,  and  men's  manners,  so  that  nothing  be 
ordained  against  God's  >  word.  Whosoever, 
through  his  private  judgment,  willingly  and 
purposely  doth  openly  break  the  rites  and  cer- 
emonies of  the  church  to  which  he  belongs, 


ARTICLES   OF   RELIGION'.  71 

which  arc  not  repugnant  to  \\\o  word  of  Qod, 
and  are  Ordained  and  approved  by  common  au- 
thority, ought  to  bi  rebuked  openly,  that  others 
may  fear  to  do  the  like,  as  one  that  offendeth 
against  the  common  order  of  the  church,  and 
WOundeth  the  consciences  of  weak  brethren. 

Every  particular  church  may  ordain,  change, 
or  abolish  rites  and  ceremonies,  so  that  all  things 
may  be  done  to  edification. 

XXIII.   Of  the   Rulers  of  the   United  States  of 
America. 

The  President,  the  Congress,  the  General 
Assemblies,  the  Governors,  and  the  Councils  of 
State,  as  the  delegates  of  the  people,  are  the  rulers 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  according  to 
the  division  of  power  made  to  them  by  the  consti- 
tution of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  constitu- 
tions of  their  respective  States.  And  the  said 
States  are  a  sovereign  and  independent  nation, 
and  ought  not  to  be  subject  to  any  foreign  juris- 
diction. 

XXIV.   Of  Christian  men's   Goods* 

The  riches  and  goods  of  christians  are  not 
common  as  touching  the  right,  title,  and  posses- 
sion of  the  same,  as  some  do  falsely  boast.  Not- 
withstanding, every  man  ought,  of  such  things 
as  he  possesseth,  liberally  to  give  alms  to  the 
poor,  according  to  his  ability. 


72  ARTICLES  OF  RELIGION. 

XXV.  Of  a  Christian  man's  Oath. 

As  we  confess  that  vain  and  rash  swearing  is 
forbidden  christian  men  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  James  his  apostle;  so  we  judge  that  the 
christian  religion  doth  not  prohibit,  but  that  a 
man  may  swear,  or  affirm,  when  the  magistrate 
requireth,  in  a  cause  of  faith  and  charity,  so  it 
be  done  according  to  the  prophet's  teaching,  in 
justice,  judgment  and  truth. 


a*) 

PUBLIC  WORSHIP. 


The  morning  service  on  the  Lord's  day,  shall 
GODttsfl  of  singing  a  hymn,  prayer,  and  reading  a 
portion  of  the  word  of  God;  then  singing  another 
hymn,  or   part  thereof,  and    preaching.    After 

sermon,  another  hymn,  or  part  of  a  hymn,  shall 
be  sung,  an  appropriate  prayer  addressed  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  the  congregation  dismissed 
with  the  apostolical  benediction,  while  the 
preacher  and  congregation  are  yel  kneeling. 

The  afternoon  and  e\  enin  j  sen  ices  shall  con- 
ofthe  same  .-\  KCept  reading  por- 

tions of  Scripture,  which  may  he  omitted. 

We  recommend  that  no  sermon  exceed  one 
hour;  and  that  the  minister  be  not  tedious  in  con- 
ducting the  other  parts  of  divine  worship.  It  is 
further  recommended,  that  the  Lord's  prayer  be 
repeated  at  the  close  of  the  first  morning  prayer. 

During  public  worship,  the  congregation 
\pected  to  attend  with  becoming  gravity, 
abstaining  from  all  salutations  of  persons  pre- 
sent, or  coming  in:  and  from  gazing  about, 
>ing,  smiling,  whispering,  and  all  other  in- 
decent behaviour.4 

*  It  is  expected  of  all  who  attend  on  our  ministry,  that 

they  carefully  avoid   the  too  common  practice  of  stand- 

iboilt  the  church  doors  before  service,  and  of  lciv- 

fore  the  congregation  is  regularly  dis- 


74  MEANS    OF    GRACE. 

While  the  minister  is  addressing  the  throne  of 
grace,  the  whole  congregation  should  meekly 
kneel  before  God;  and  during  the  singing  of  the 
first  hymn,  stand  up  with  their  faces  towards 
the  minister,  and  assist  in  this  delightful  part  of 
divine  worship.  The  verses  of  the  second  hymn 
should  be  read  over  by  the  minister,  and  then 
sung  by  the  people  while  seated. 

We  recommend  that  all  our  members  take 
their  hymn  books  to  the  church  with  them,  and 
sing  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  understanding 
also. 

In  administering  the  ordinances,  and  the  bu- 
rial of  the  dead,  let  the  form  of  Discipline  be 
used. 


MEANS    OF    GRACE. 

The  means  of  grace  recognized  by  this  Church 
are,  the  public  worship  of  Almighty  God, 
searching  the  scriptures,  the  Lord's  supper, 
love  feasts,  class  meetings,  private  and  family 
prayer. 

Members  of  the  church,  who  habitually  ne- 
glect these  means  of  grace,  shall  first  be  admon- 
ished by  their  leader;  then  if  they  refuse  to  amend, 
the  case  shall  be  reported  to  the  superinten- 
dent, who  shall  admonish  them  a  second  time; 
if  all  shall  be  unavailing,  after  sufficient  trial, 
the  superintendent  shall  propose  to  them  volun 
tarily  to  withdraw  from  the  fellowship  of  the 
church;  if  they  agree  with  the  proposal  they 
shall  be  recorded  as  withdrawn:  but  if  they  re- 


IDMlNIftB  ITI0N   01  75 

hse  tad  still  will  not  amend,  they  shall  be  Ut- 
ile to  a  trial  before  a  committee,  who  shall  have 

authority  I  rjsure,  or  exclude  them, 

as  m  their  judgment  the  nature  of  the  rase  may 
require;    provided,   that  no  person  be  excluded 
pi  lor  a  habitual  neglect  of  these  means   of 
mce. 


Order  far  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  the  celebration  of 
the  Lord-  Supper,  an  appropriate  discourse  shall 
be  delivered;  after  which,  a  collection  shall  be 
taken  up  for  the  relief  of  the  poor. 

While  the  stewards  are  making  the  collection, 
let  the  minister  repeat  one  or  more  of  the  fol- 
lowing pi 

Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  see  y«»ur  good  works,  and  glorify  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.     Matt.  v.  16, 

He  that  soweth  sparingly,  shall  also  reap 
sparingly;  and  he  that  soweth  bountifully,  shall 
also  reap  bountifully.  Let  every  man  do  ac- 
cording as  he  is  disposed  in  his  heart;  not  grud- 
y,  or  of  necessity;  for  God  loveth  a  cheerful 
giver.      1  Cor.  i\.  <>.  ?. 

Charge  those  who  are  rich  in  this  world,  that 
they  be  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  commu- 
nicate; laying  up  in  store  for  themselves  a  good 
foundation  against  the  time  to  come,  that  they 
may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life.      1  Tim.  vi.  17-19. 


76  ADMINISTRATION  OF 

Whoso  hath  this  world's  good  and  seeth 
his  brother  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his  bow- 
els of  compassion  from  him,  how  dwelleth  the 
love  oi  God  in  him?     1  John  iii.  17. 

Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor;  the 
Lord  will  deliver  him  in  the  time  of  trouble. 
Psalm  xli.  1. 

As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do 
good  unto  all  men,  and  especially  unto  them 
who  are  of  the  household  of  faith.     Gal.  vi.  10. 

In  the  commencement  of  the  communion  service, 
all  the  ministers  and  preachers  present,  shall  be 
invited  to  assemble  within  the  communion  rail; 
after  which,  the  officiating  minister  shall  repair 
to  the  table,  uncover  the  elements,  and  address  the 
communicants  in  the  following  words: 

Dearly  beloved,  while  we  were  yet  sinners 
Christ  died  for  us,  and  became  the  propitiation 
for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  for  the 
sins  of  the  whole  world.  In  the  same  night  he 
was  betrayed  he  did  institute  this  ordinance, 
and  commanded  his  followers  to  continue  the 
same  in  commemoration  of  his  death,  until  he 
come  again.  You,  therefore,  who  are  striving 
to  walk  in  all  his  commandments  blameless, 
will  now  accompany  us  in  a  petition  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  worthily  commem- 
orate the  death  and  passion  of  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ, 


mi.    LORD'l   m  iter.  77 

I stt  us  pray, 

AJmighty  God,  <>iir  heavenly  Father,  who  of 
thy  tender  mercy  didst  give  thine  only  Son  Je- 
(  hrisl  to  suffer  death  upon  the  cross  for  our 
redemption;  who  there,  by  the  oblation  of  him- 
self, once  offered,  did  make  an  atonement  for 
the  -in-  ofthe  whole  world:  and  did  institute  this 
ordinance,  and  in  his  holy  gospel  command  us  to 
continue  a  perpetual  memory  of  his  precious 
death,  until  his  coming  again; we  pray  thee  to 
grant  us  grace,  that  while  we  partake  of  these 
Symbols  of  the  broken  body  and  shed  blood  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  remembrance  of  his  death 
and  passion,  we  may,  by  faith  in  him,  receive 
the  remission  of  our  sins  and  the  salvation  of  our 

Souls. 

We  are  not  worthy,  O  Lord,  to  gather  up  the 
crumbs  from  under  thy  table,  for  we  have  sinned 
and  come  short  of  thy  glory;  we  have  erred  and 
strayed  from  thy  ways  like  lost  sheep;  we  have 
left  undone  those  tilings  which  we  ought  to  have 
done;  and  we  have  done  those  things  which  we 
ought  not  to  have  done.  Have  mercy  on  us,  0 
God,  our  heavenly  Father,  forgive  our  sins,  and 
restore  unto  us  the  joy  of  thy  salvation,  through 
3  Christ  who  hath  redeemed  us  by  his  own 
most  precious  blood. 

Almighty,  and  most  merciful  God,  we  do  not 

presume  to  approach  this   thy  table,  trusting   in 

our  own  righteousness,  but  in   the  blood  and 

righteousm  ill  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     Who 

7 


78  ADMINISTRATION  OF 

in  the  same  night  he  was  betrayed,  took  bread, 
and  when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  break  it,  and 
gave  to  his  disciples,  saying,  take,  eat;  this  is 
my  body  which  was  broken  for  you,  this  do  in 
remembrance  of  me.  After  the  same  manner  he 
took  the  cup,  and  when  he  had  supped,  said; 
this  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood,  drink 
ye  all  of  it.  This  do  ye,  as  oft  as  you  drink  it. 
in  remembrance  of  me. 

Grant  unto  us,  0  our  heavenly  Father,  the  ef- 
fectual assistance  of  thy  holy  Spirit,  that  while  we 
partake  of  these  thy  creatures  of  bread  and  wine, 
according  to  thy  Son  cur  Saviour's  holy  institu- 
tion, in  grateful  remembrance  of  his  death  and 
passion,  that  our  hearts  may  be  penetrated  with 
unfeigned  love  and  gratitude  for  the  unspeak- 
able gift  of  thy  Son,  in  the  redemption  and 
salvation  of  our  souls.  May  we  be  melted  into 
tenderness  on  account  of  the  great  love  where- 
with Christ  hath  loved  us,  and  given  himself  for 
us.  May  we  ever  remember  his  agony  and 
bloody  sweat  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane;  his 
cruel  mockings  and  scourgings  in  Pilate's  hall; 
and  his  ignominious  death  on  the  cross.  Surely 
he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sor- 
rows; but  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgres- 
sions, he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities,  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  by 
his  stripes  we  are  healed.  May  we  have  re- 
demption through  his  blood  which  was  shed  for 
the  remission  of  our  sins;  and,  being  justified 
by  faith  in  him,  may  be  filled  with  love,  have 
grace  to  keep  all  thy  commandments,  and  shew 


THE    LORD  s    BtTPPlB.  ?CJ 

forth  the  Lord's  death  till  he  comdL  And  final- 
ly, bo  brought,  with  all  the  [srael  ofGodj  to  in- 
herit eternal  life,  through  the  rnerits  and  media- 
tion of  out   Lord    and  Sai  iour  briat. 

Amen. 

The  ministers  and  preachers  present  shall  then 
receiti  tin  communion  of  both  kinds,  after  which, 
the  following  invitation  shall  be  given. 

Ye  that  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent  of  your 
?ins,  and  arc  in  love  and  charity  u  ith  your  neigh- 
bors, and  intend  to  lead  a  new  life,  following  the 

commandments  of  God,  and  walking  from  hence- 
forth in  his  holy  ways,  draw  near  in  faith,  and 
partake  of  this  ordinance  to  your  comfort,  meek- 
ly kneeling  on  your  knees. 

The  ministers  shall  then  distribute  the  bread  to 
the  communicants,  saying: 

Take,  cat  this  in  remembrance  that  Christ/s 
body  was  broken  for  you;  for  while  we  were  yet 
sinners  Christ  died  for  us,  and  became  the  pro- 
pitiation for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world. 

While  the  ministers  are  passing  the  bread 
around,  they  may  repeat  one  or  more  of  the  follow- 
ing passages: 

God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  on  bin 

might  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 


80  ADMINISTRATION  OF 


God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world  to  con- 
demn the  world,  but  that  the  world  through  him 
might  be  saved. 

Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  loved  God,  but 
that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  a  pro- 
pitiation for  our  sins.  If  God  so  loved  us,  we 
ought  to  love  one  another. 

Christ  loved  the  church,  and  gave  himself  for 
it.     If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments. 

Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord, 
shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  he 
that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven. 

Blessed  is  he  that  shall  eat  bread  in  the  king- 
dom of  God. 

The  ministers  shall  likewise  take  of  the  wine, 
and  give  to  each  communicant,  saying: 

Drink  ye  all  of  this,  in  grateful  remembrance, 
that  the  blood  of  Christ  was  shed  for  you;  for 
ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things, 
but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ;  in  whom 
we  have  redemption,  through  faith,  even  the  for- 
giveness of  our  sins,  and  the  sanctification  of 
our  souls. 

While  passing  the  wine  around,  the  ministers 
may  repeat  one  or  more  of  the  following  passages: 

If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just 


THE    I.nKDS    SVPPEft*  91 

to  forgive   our  mm-,  ami  to  cleanse  m  from  all 
nnrighteousm 

If  ire  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light, 
we  have  fellowship  one  with  another,  and  the 
blood  of  Jesua  Christ  In-  Son,  cleans*  ;!;  us  from 
all  unrighteousness. 

Unto  liim  that  loved  us,  and  wa>hed  us  from 
our  sins  m  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
kings  and  priests  unto  0od  and  Ins  Father,  be 
glory  and  dominion  forever.      Amen. 

Wlien  all  have  partakni,  what  remains  of  the 
elements,  shall  he  placid  upon  the  table  and  cover- 
cd  with  a  fair  linen  cloth;  and  the  service  shall 
be  conclude  trith  <  xtempore  prayer,  and  the  apos- 
tolical benediction. 

The  Lord's  Supper  should  be  administered, 
at  least  once  a  month  in  stations;  and  once  a 
quarter  in  circuits. 

On  these  solemn  occasions,  let  there  be  no 
hurry;  no  confusion.  Let  meditation,  prayer, 
and  gratitude  to  God  for  the  unspeakable  gilt  of 
his  Son,  occupy  every  soul. 

While  administering  the  Supper,  one  of  the 
ministers  should  occasionally  give  out  an  appro- 
priate verse  or  two  of  a  hymn,  to  be  sang  by 
the  congregation.  This  might  be  so  timed  as  to 
serve  for  a  signal  to  those  wiio  have  communed, 
to  rise  and  retire  to  their  places  in  the  church, 
and  give  opportunity  for  the  remaining  commu- 
nicants to  repair  to  the  table. 


82  BAPTISM  OF  INFANTS. 

Let  those  who  have  scruples  concerning  the 
receiving  the  Lord's  Supper  kneeling,  be  per- 
mitted to  receive  it,  either  sitting  or  standing. 

BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS. 

W/ien  the  child  to  be  baptized  is  brought  before 
the  minister,  he  shall  say  to  the  parents; 

Beloved  friends,  you  are  now  about  to  dedi- 
cate your  child  to  the  service  of  the  living  and 
true  God,  who  hath  said;  behold,  all  souls  are 
mine,  as  the  soul  of  the  father,  so  also  the  soul 
of  the  son  is  mine;  and  the  promise  of  accep- 
tance and  salvation  is  to  you  and  your  children, 
and  to  all  that  are  afar  off.  By  this  act  you  ac- 
knowledge the  high  claim  of  Almighty  God  to 
the  life  and  services  of  your  offspring;  and  your 
own  obligations  to  the  most  High,  to  your  infant, 
and  to  the  church  of  Christ,  to  guide  its  feet  into 
the  paths  of  righteousness,  and  to  raise  it  up  into 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Yoa  will  need  all  the  wisdom  and  grace  you 

can  acquire,  to  enable  you  to  discharge  this  your 

imperious  duty;  we,  therefore,  exhort  you  to  pray 

to  God  constantly,  so  to  enlighten  your  minds 

and  influence  your  hearts,  that  you  may,  both  by 

precept  and  example,  be  enabled  to  lead  your 

children  in  the  true  and  right  way;   and  induce 

them  to  glorify  God,  in  their  souls  and  bodies, 

which  is  their  reasonable  service. 

Let  us  pray. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  God,  Father  of 

our  spirits,  former  of  our  bodies,  Redeemer  and 


1 


MJPTIMI    OF   iman  83 

Saviour  of  our8(  uls,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
made  n  our  pri  ai  chUdn 

th]  Ben  ice,  that  they  may  be  livel)  member*  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  and  I  rnal  life. 

\\  <  beseech  thee,  o  our  hi  avenly  Father,  to 
bestow  upon  the  parents  of  this  child,  grace  n  1 
by  they   i  iptably,  with  r< 

and  godly  tear,  in  holiness  and  righteous- 
ness all  the  days  of  their  lives,  that  by  precept 
and  example,  they  may  be  enabled  to  train  their 
clnld  in  all  godly  discipline  and  admonition,  thai 
it  may  be  a  worthy  member  of  the  church  of 
Christ. — Grant,  O  Lord,  that  this  child  may  die 
unto  sin,  and  live  unto  righteousness,  and 
being  steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  through  hope,  and 
rooted  in  love,  may  safely  pass  the  waves  of  this 
transitory  life,  and  finally  come  to  the  heaven  of 
eternal  n  re  to  dwell  with  thee,  world 

without  end,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

AJmight]  i<  grant  that  whosoever  is  dedi- 
cated to  thee,  by  our  oilier  and  ministry,  maybe 
indued  with  heavenly  virtue-,  and  ever  remain 
in  the  number  of  thy  faithful  children;  and  be 
made   partaker-  of  eternal  lite  through  thy  mer- 

;id  go- 
vern all  things,  world  without  end.      Amen. 

Tin  p  'iid  up ,  and  the  minister 

They  bn  children  to  Christ,  that 

he  should  touch  them,  and  his  disciples  rebuked 
those  who  brought  them;  but  when  w  it, 

he  was  much  dis  and  said,  sutler  the  little 


8-1  BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS. 

children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not, 
for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily,  I 
say  unto  you,  whosoever  shall  not  receive  the 
kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  shall  not  enter 
therein. 

And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his 
hands  upon  them  and  blessed  them. 

The  minister  shall  then  take  the   child   in  his 
arms,  and  say  to  the  friends  of  the  child. 
Name  this  child. 

Repeating  the  name  as  given  by  the  parents,  he 
shall  say,  after  baptizing. 

N.  I  baptize  thee,  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  The 
Lord  bless  this  child,  and  grant  him  eternal  life. 

The  minister  shall  then  conclude  with  the 
apostolical  benediction. 

Infant  baptism  should  be  administered  months 
ly  in  all  our  churches,  and  oftener  when  neces- 
sary. 

In  infant  baptism,  let  it  be  an  invariable  rule, 
to  require  the  attendance  of  the  parents  of  the 
child. 

Let  every  adult  person,  and  the  parents  of 
every  child  to  be  baptized,  have  the  choice  of 
immersion,  sprinkling,  or  pouring. 

Parents  whose  children  have  been  baptized, 
should  attend  after  service,  and  inform  the  min- 
ister of  the  age,  &,c.  of  the  child,  or  children 
baptized,  that  he  may  enter  their  names,  &c.  on 
the  church  register. 


mini*  n:  \i  ION  Of    I  I  PI 
TO  SUCH    kfl  Alii:  OF  R1PEH  I  B  I 

Whin  tin  |  /  pn  v  nt  them* 

tin  mimUU  r  shall  toy* 

Dearly  beloved,  forasmuch  as  all  men  arc 
born  in  sin,  and  that  our  Saviour  Christ  saith, 
none  Call  niter  the  kingdom  of  God,  except  lie* 
be  regenerate  and  hern  anew,  of  water  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  I  beseech  von  to  call  upon 
God  the  Father,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that  of  his  bounteous  goodn<  ss,  he  will  in-ant  to 

these  person-,  now  to  be  baptized,  that  which  by 
nature  they  cannot  have,  and  that  they  may  be 
made  lively  members  of  the  church  of  Christ,  and 
heirs  of  eternal  life. 

If  t  us  pray, 

Almighty,  everlasting  God,  whose  most  dear- 
ly beloved  Son,  h  bus  Christ,  for  the  forgiveness 
of  our  sins,  did  shed  out  of  his  most  precious 
side,  botli  water  and  blood:  and  gave  command- 
ment to  his  disciples,  that  they  should  go  teach 
all  nations,  arid  baptize  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
ird,  we  beseech  thee,  the  supplications  of 
this   i  lion;   and   grant  thai  the  persons 

now  to  be  baptized  may  receive  the  fulness  of 
thy  £racc,  and  ever  remain  in  the  number  of  thy 
elect  children,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

0  merciful  God,  grant,  through  the  sanctifica- 
tion  of  thy  spirit,  and    their  belief  of  the  troth, 
as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  that   the  carnal  mind  in 
8 


86  BAPTISM    OF    SUCH    AS 

them  may  be  destroyed,  and  that  they  may  be 
created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus,  unto  good  works, 
and  have  their  fruit  unto  holiness,  and  obtain 
everlasting  life. 

Grant  that  they,  being  dedicated  to  thee,  by 
our  office  and  ministry,  may  receive  grace  where- 
by they  may  serve  thee  acceptably  with  reverence 
and  godly  fear,  in  holiness  and  righteousness  all 
the  days  of  their  lives;  and  being  indued  with 
heavenly  virtues,  and  strengthened  by  thy  grace, 
may  have  victory,  and  be  eventually  rewarded,, 
through  thy  mercy,  0  blessed  Lord  God,  who 
dost  live  and  govern  ail  things,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

The  minister  shall  then  demand  of  each  of  the 
persons  to  be  baptized,  severally. 

1.  Do  you  believe  in  the  existence  of  God, 
and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  all  those  who  dili- 
gently seek  him?     I  do. 

2.  Do  you  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
is  the  Redeemer  and  Saviour  of  the  world?  I  do. 

3.  The  sacred  scriptures  inform  us,  that  we 
have  all  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
God;  but  that  if  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faith- 
ful and  just  to  forgive  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us 
from  all  unrighteousness;  are  you  now  deter- 
mined, by  the  aid  of  divine  grace,  to  forsake  every 
evil  way,  to  look  to  Christ  as  your  only  and  all 
sufficient  Saviour,  and  to  walk  in  all  the  com- 
mandments of  God?     I  am. 

4.  It  is  made  our  duty  to  search  the  sacred 
scriptures,  and  to  attend  on  all  the  ordinances  of 


aim:   <>i     Kirn:    \  i  B9 

thehOnseof  God,  will  jrou  endeavour  to  be  faith- 
ful in  the  discharge  of  these  dut  • 

1  will,  by  the  assistance  of  God'a  J  Inly  spirit 

The  minuter  shall  then  take  tack  persm  M  k 
baptized  by  tin    right  hand;  shall  ask   the  m 

and  thtn  repeating  the  name,  sprinkle  or  pour  wa- 
tt r  upon  him:   Sa\  ill 

X.  I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost 

The  minister  may  then  conclude  with  extempore 
prayer — repeal  the  Lord's  prayer,  and  the  apos- 
tolical benediction. 


MARRIAGE  CEREMOXV. 

At  the  time  afffointi  d  for  soh  mnieation  of  mat' 
riinouy .  th<  persons  tabemarriedj  standing  togeth- 
er ,  the  man  ON  the    right  hand,  ami    the  woman  on 

the  l<jt.  ttu  thaU  say: 

We  are  assembled  in  ttite  presencg  of  God 
and  before  these  witnesses,  to  solemnize  the 
marriage  of  these  two  persons  present 

If  any  one  cm  sh<  W  JU8(  «-;mi^\  why  they 
may  not  lawfully  be  joined  tog*  ther  let  him  now 
Bpeak,  orelse  hereafter  hold  his  peace. 

T\e  minister  shall  then  address  himself  to  the 

Wns  about  to  be  married,  and  say: 


88  MATRIMONY. 

If  either  of  you  know  any  lawful  cause,  or 
just  impediment,  why  you  may  not  legally  be 
joined  together  in  matrimony,  I  charge  you  to 
confess  it;  for  no  ceremony  can  make  valid  an 
unlawful  marriage. 

If  no  impediment  be  alleged,  the  minister,  ad- 
dressing himself  to  the  parties^  shall  say: 

Under  the  influence  of  mutual  affection,  you 
are  now  about  to  pledge  your  vows.  It  will  be 
your  mutual  concern,  to  perpetuate  your  love, 
by  constant  fidelity,  and  by  a  practical  regard  of 
those  principles  and  rules  of  conduct,  which 
the  word  of  God,  and  good  experience,  have 
furnished. 

Husband  and  wife,  should  be  studiously  at- 
tentive to  know  each  other's  dispositions,  and 
anticipate  each  other's  wishes  Mutual  tender- 
ness and  forbearance  is  indispensable  to  matri- 
monial happiness;  nothing  endears  like  this; 
nothing  so  effectually  rivets  affection. 

The  husband  should  consult  his  wife,  make 
her  acquainted  with  the  true  state  of  his  affairs, 
and  allow  her  a  full  share  of  influence;  your  in- 
terests will  be  one,  and  your  confidence  should 
be  mutual. 

The  wife  should  love  her  husband,  shew  him 
all  possible  attention,  and  make  her  house  the 
place  of  his  delight. 

Husband  and  wife  should  conduct  towards 
each  other  with  the  utmost  affability,  kindness 
and  affection;  and  constantly  seek  the  protec- 


rmiMOKTi  9B 

tion  and  assisting  grace  of  God,  to  enable  them 
faithfully  and  mutually  to  discharge  the  numer- 
ous and  important  duties  required  of  those  whe 
become  the  heads  of  families* 

The  minister  shall  then  say: 

Please  join  your  right  hands. 

linn  shall  the  minister  jay  unto  the  man: 

Wilt  thou  have  this  woman  to  thy  wedded 
Wife,  to  love,  comfort,  honour,  and  keep  her  in 
sickness  and  in  health:  and  forsaking  all  other-. 
keep  thee  only  unto  her,  so  long  as  you  both 
shall  life? 

Tin  man  shall  answer: 

I   will. 

Then  shall  the  minister  say  unto  the  woman. 

Wilt  thou  have  this  man  to  thy  wedded  hus- 
band, to  obey,  love,  honour  and  keep  him  in 
sickness  and  health;  and  forsaking  all  others, 
keep  thee  only  unto  him,  so  long  as  you  both 
shall  live? 

The  woman  shall  answer: 
I  will. 

The  minister  shall  then  say: 

Lit  us  pray. 

We  humbly  supplicate  thy  blessing,  heavenly 
8* 


90  MATRIMONY. 

Father,  on  these  persons  who  have  mutually 
entered  into  marriage  covenant.  Will  it  please 
thee  to  grant  them  power  to  keep  their  vows  in 
fidelity;  to  live  together  in  peace  and  love,  and 
reverently  obey  thy  laws.  Under  thy  protection 
and  in  the  enjoyment  of  thy  favor,  may  they 
long  live  in  health  and  comfort,  gratefully  receiv- 
ing all  thy  blessings,  which  thy  parental  care 
and  goodness  may  confer  upon  them  in  this  life; 
and  in  the  end,  vouchsafe  to  them,  and  to  us  all, 
a  participation  in  life  everlasting,  Amen. 

TJien  shall  the  minister  say, 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no 
man  put  asunder. 

For  £s  much  as  A.  B.  and  C.  D.  have  con- 
sented together  in  holy  wedlock,  and  have  wit- 
nessed ihe  same,  before  God  and  this  company, 
and  thereto  have  pledged  their  faith,  the  one  to 
the  other,  and  have  declared  the  same  by  joining 
hands,  I  pronounce  them  husband  and  wife,  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 


VISITATION  OF  THE  SICK. 

If  the  minister  find  the  sick  person  to  be 
grossly  ignorant,  he  shall  instruct  him  in  the  na- 
ture of  repentance  and  faith,  and  the  way  of  ac- 


\  I^ITA  1'IoN    OF    THI    SICK.  91 

teptcnce  with  God,  through  the  mediation  and 
atonement  of  Jesus  ( Jhrist. 

[f  the   i  "ii   appeal  to   l><4  i  stupid, 

thoughtless  and  hardened  sinner;  the  minister 
shall  endeavour  to  awaken  his  mind;  to  arouse 
his  conscience;  to  convince  him  oi  the  evil  and 
danger  of  sin,  of  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  the 
wrath  of  God  due  to  sinners;  to  bring  bim  to 
an  bumble  and  penitential  sense  of  Ins  iniqui- 
and  then  to  state  before  him  the  fulness  of 
the  grace  and  mercy  of  God,  in  and  through  the 
merits  of  the  Redeemer;  the  absolute  necessity 
of  faith,  and  repentance,  in  order  to  his  being 
interested  in  the  favor  of  God,  and  his  obtain- 
in!:  everlasting  happiness* 

If  the  sick  person  appear  to  be  broken  in 
spirit  with  a  sense  of  sin,  and  apprehensions  of 
the  divine  displeasure,  then  it  will  be  proper  to 
administer  consolation  and  encouragement!  by 
setting  before  him  tlie  freeness  and  richness  of 
the  grace  of  God,  and  the  precious  promises  of 
the  gospel  made  to  all  penitents. 

The  minister  must,  in  all  cases,  guard  the  sick 
against  all  ill  grounded  persuasions  of  the  mercy 
of  God,  without  a  \ital  union  to  Christ;  and 
against  unreasonable  fears  of  death,  and  dis- 
pomlin^  discouragements;  against  presumption 
upon  his  own  and    merit,  on  the  one 

hand,    and    against    despair  of  the    mercy   and 
grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  on  the  other. 

In  a  word,  it  Is  the  duty  of  all  ministers  and 
pious  persons,  when  visiting  the  sick,  to  pray 
With  and  tor  them;  and  to  administer  instruction, 


92  BURIAL    OF    THE    DEAD. 

conviction,  support,  consolation,  or  encourage- 
ment, as  the  case  may  seem  to  require.  And  to 
improve  the  occasion  to  exhort  those  about  them 
to  consider  their  mortality;  to  turn  to  the  Lord, 
and  make  their  peace  with  him;  and  in  health 
prepare  for  sickness,  death  and  judgment. 


BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

When  the  corpse  is  brought  to  the  grave,  the  min- 
ister shall  repeat  one  or  more  of  the  following 
passages: 

I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the 
Lord;  he  that  believeth  in  me  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live:  and  whosoever  liveth  and 
believeth  in  me,  shall  never  die. 

I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he 
shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth;  and 
though  after  death,  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet 
in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God. 

I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me, 
Write;  From  henceforth,  blessed  are  the  dead 
who  die  in  the  Lord;  even  so  saith  the  Spirit,  for 
they  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do 
follow  them. 

Blessed  be  the  God,  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who,  according  to  his  abun- 
dant mercy,  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  live- 
ly hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead,  to  an  inheritance,  incorruptible,  unde- 


r,uni.\L  OF  THE  DEAD.  03 

filed,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  resetted  in  hea- 
v.  n  for  those  w  ho  arc  kept  by  the  power  of  God, 

through  faith  unto  saWatioD,  read)   to  be  reveal- 
ed at  the  last  tune. 

Behold,  I  show  you  a  mystery,  We  shall  not 
all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  he  changed,  in  a  mo- 
ment, in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last 
trump;  lor  the  trumpet  shall  Bound,  and  tin? 
dead  shall  be  raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall 
hanged;  lor  this  corruptible  must  put  on 
incorruptjon,  and  this  mortal  must  put  on  im- 
mortality. So  when  this  corruptible  shall  have 
put  on  incorruptioo,  and  this  mortal  shall  have 
put  on  immortalitj,  then  shall  be  brought  to  pass 
die  Baying  that  is  written;  Death  is  swallowed 
up  in  victory.  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  O 
grave,  where  is  th ▼  victory?  The  sting  of  deatli 
is  sin;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But 
thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Here  the  minister,  if  he  judge  proper,  may  ex- 
hort those  present  to  reflect  Ofk  the  shortness  and  un- 
certainty of  human  life;  and  to  prepare  for  death, 
judgment,  and  eternity. 

Let  us  }>ray. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  God.  in  whose 
hands  are  the  iss  lea  of  life  and  death;  and  be- 
fore whose-  bar  v. <*  shall  all  stand,  and  give  an 
account  of  the  drrds  done  in  the  body;  we  be- 
seech thee  to  grant  unto  us,  at  all  times,  a  salu- 


94  BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

iary  conviction  of  the  frailty  of  life,  and  our 
great  responsibility  to  thee,  the  judge  of  quick 
and  dead. 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death;  we  come 
up  and  are  cut  down  like  a  flower;  we  flee  as  a 
shadow,  and  never  continue  in  one  stay.  Death, 
judgment  and  eternity  are  just  before  us,  and 
of  whom  may  we  seek  protection  and  grace, 
but  of  thee,  0  most  merciful  God,  who  hath  re- 
deemed us  with  the  most  precious  blood  of 
Christ,  that  we  might  be  delivered  from  the  pow- 
er of  sin  and  the  fear  of  death,  and  be  made 
heirs  of  eternal  life. 

We  humbly  confess,  0  righteous  Father,  that 
we  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  thy  glory. 
We  have  been  undutiful  children;  slothful  ser- 
vants; and  unfaithful  stewards  of  the  manifold 
mercies  of  God.  Be  merciful,  0  Lord,  to  our 
unrighteousness,  pardon  our  sins,  and  raise  us 
from  a  death  of  sin  to  a  life  of  righteousness, 
through  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath 
said;  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  he  that 
believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall 
he  live;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in 
me  shall  not  die  eternally, 

We  beseech  thee,  Father  of  all  our  mer- 
cies, and  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
to  grant  us  grace  whereby  we  may  serve  thee 
acceptably,  with  reverence  and  godly  fear,  all  our 
days;  looking  for  the  blessed  hope,  and  glorious 
appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  to  judge  the  world  in  righteousness 


\n.  HI 

he  hour  i  in   winch  all  that  arc  m 

their  n    of 

God,  tod  Bhall  come  forth;  they  that  hare  done 
good,  to  ili«'  resurrection  of  life,  and  they  that 

(  ,  to  the  i  :i  of  i  "ii.icni- 

nation. 

I  iiH  ted,  that  any  ol  na 

shouli  i"  the  bitter  pains  of  the  second 

death;  bul  grant  thai  when  we  depart  this  tran- 
iii  iv  die  in   possession  of  trium- 
phant faith,   and  rest   in  Christ     And,  at  the 

last  day,   he  found 

ptable  in  thy  sight,  and  receive  that  blessing 

which  thy  well  belt  « ed  Son  shall  then  pronounce 

to  all  that  love   am.  come,  ye 

•  d  of  my  fatfajer,  receive  the  kingdom  pre- 

pan  .  fin  tiie  begin n in i  oi  the  world. 

nly    Father,     ijrant 
that  tin-  di  D  of  thy  righteous  providence 

:ied  to    th  of  all    present. 

May  dui  warning,  and  consider  the 

shortness   and  uncertainty  of  human    life;    the 
solemnith  i,    and   the  awful  realities  of 

eternity;  and   prepare  u>  meet  thee   m  the  judg- 
ment. 

May  the  relatives  of  tl  •  1  n  ■  >t  sorrow 

as  those  who  have  no  hope,  hut  have  urace  to 
submit   t«»  th)  will,  and    he    fully  pre- 

pared  to  say  the  Lord  gave    and  the  L<>nl  hath 
taken  away.,  blessed  be  the  name   of  the  Lord. 

Bern  diction. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jeans  Christ,  the  love 


i 


96  BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD. 

of  God  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Spirit  re- 
main with  us,  now  and  for  ever.     Amen. 

When  the  corpse  is  deposited  in  the  grave,  and 
the  sexton  is  returning  the  earth,  the  minister  may 
repeat  one  or  more  of  the  following  passages. 

Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  thou  shalt  re- 
turn. 

It  is  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die,  and 
after  that  the  judgment. 

Blessed  and  holy  are  they  who  have  part  in 
the  first  resurrection,  on  such  the  second  death 
hath  no  power:  but  they  shall  be  priests  of  God, 
and  of  Christ,  and  shall  reign  with  him  forever. 
God  will  wipe  all  tears  from  tneireyes,  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death;  neither  sorrow  nor 
weeping;  neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain; 
for  the  former  things  have  passed  away. 

Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things 
which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him. 

Blessed  are  they  that  keep  his  commandments, 
that  they  may  have  a  right  to  the  tree  of  life, 
and  may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the  city. 

Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death, 
of  his  saints. 


1)7 

rORM    AND    MANNER    Of 

ORDAINING  DEACONS. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  tin;  ordination,  an 
appropriate  sermon  or  exhortation  shall  be  de- 
livered. After  which,  one  of  the  elders  shall 
read  aloud  the  names  of  those  to  be  ordained 
deacons,  who  shall  respectively  answer  and  pre- 
sent themselves  before  the  ministers  appointed 
to  perform  the  ordination. 

One  of  the  elders  shall  then  read  (he  following 
passages: 

"Likewise  must  the  deacons  be  grave,  not 
double-tongued,  not  given  to  much  wine,  not 
greedy  of  filthy  lucre;  holding  the  mystery  of 
the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience.  And  let  these 
also  first  be  proved;  then  let  them  use  the  office 
of  a  deacon,  being  found  blameless.  Even  so 
must  their  wives  be  grave,  not  slanderers,  sober, 
faithful  in  all  things.  Let  the  deacons  be  the 
husbands  of  one  wife,  ruling  their  children  and 
their  own  houses  well.  For  they  that  have  used 
the  office  of  a  deacon  well,  purchase  to  them- 
selves a  good  degree,  and  great  boldness  in  the 

faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus.   1  Tim.  iii.  8 — 13. 

i 

Let   another  of   the    elders  say   to    the    persons 
about  to  be  ordained: 

Beloved   brethren,   for  as    much  as  the  holy 
icriptures  command,  that  we  should  not  be  hasty 
9 


98  ORDINATION  OF  DEACONS. 

in  laying  on  hands,  and  admitting  persons  to  min- 
ister in  the  church  of  Christ,  therefore,  before 
we  admit  y-ou  to  the  office  of  deacon  in  the 
church  of  God,  we  will  examine  you  in  the  pre- 
sence of  this  congregation,  and  receive  your 
answers  to  the  following  questions: 

Are  you  fully  persuaded  that  the  holy  scrip- 
tures contain  sufficiently  all  doctrine  required  of 
necessity  for  eternal  salvation?  And  will  you 
out  of  the  same  holy  scriptures  instruct  the  peo- 
ple, and  teach  and  maintain,  nothing  as  of 
necessity  required  for  salvation,  but  that  which 
you  shall  be  persuaded  may  be  proved  by  them? 

Will  you  faithfully  exercise  yourself  in  the 
study  of  the  holy  scriptures,  and  call  upon  God 
by  prayer  for  the  true  understanding  of  the  same, 
so  that  you  may  be  able,  to  teach  and  exhort 
with  wholesome  doctrine,  and  to  withstand  and 
convince  gainsayers? 

Will  you  deny  all  ungodliness  and  worldly 
lusts,  and  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in 
this  world,  that  you  may  shew  yourself  in  all 
things  a  worthy  example  to  the  flock  of  Christ? 

Will  you  diligently  endeavor  to  teach  and 
discipline  your  family  according  to  the  doctrine 
of  the  Gospel,  and  make  them,  as  much  as  in 
you  lieth,  examples  to  others? 

Will  you  strive  to  maintain,  quietness, 
peace  and  love  among  all  christian  people,  and 
especially  among  them  who  are  committed  to 
your  care? 


OHDIN  \  i  ion  09  Di  AOONti  ffi) 

Almighty   God,  gtter  of  ever)   good  and  por- 
gift,  mercifully  behold  these  thj  servants, 

now  lbl  :i part  for  the  oilier  and    work  of  deacons 

in  thy  church.     Grail!  bo  to  replenish  them  wfth 

the  truth  of  thy  doctrine,  and  adorn  then  with 
innOCency  of  life,    that  both   by  word    and    (rood 

example,  they  may  faithfully  serve  the  church 
in  this  otlice,  to  the  glory  of  thy  name,  and  the 
edification  of  thy  people,  through  the  merits  of 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

The  ciders  present  shall  then  lay  their  hands 
K  rt  rally  upon  the  head  of  every  one  that  receiveth 
the  order  of  deacon,  the  receivers  remaining  on 
their  knees,  for  the  convenience  of  the  ordainers. 

The  president  pronouncing  aloud  the  following 
words: 

The  Lord  pour  upon  thee  the  Holy  Spirit,  for 
the  office  and  work  of  a  deacon,  committed 
unto  thee  by  the  election  of  thy  brethren,  and 
by  the  imposition  of  our  hands. 

Be  thou  faithful.  Give  heed  unto  reading, 
exhortation  and  doctrine;  be  diligent,  that  thy 
advancement  in  grace  and  knowledge,  may  be 
manifest  unto  all  men,  and  that  thou  mayest 
save   thyself  and  those  that   hear  thee. 

The  president  shall  then  deliver  to  every  one    of 
them  the  Bible  in  his  hands,  saying: 

We  acknowledge  thy  authority  to  preach  this 


100  ORDINATION  OF  DEACONS. 

word,  and  to  assist  the  elder  in  the  administra- 
tion of  the  ordinances  in  the  church  of  God. 

We  charge  thee  before  God,  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead,  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  out 
of  season.  Reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with  all 
long  suffering  and  doctrine. 

Then  shall  the  president  say: 

Let  us  pray. 

Most  merciful  Father,  we  beseech  thee  to 
grant  unto  these  thy  servants,  now  set  apart  to 
the  office  of  deacon,  thy  heavenly  blessing;  and 
so  indue  them  with  thy  holy  spirit,  that  they, 
preaching  thy  word,  may  not  only  be  earnest  to 
reprove,  beseech,  and  exhort,  with  all  patience 
and  long  suffering;  but  also,  may  be  to  such 
as  believe,  wholesome  examples,  in  doctrine, 
in  conversation,  in  love,  in  faith,  in  charity,  in 
purity;  that  faithfully  fulfilling  their  course,  at 
the  last  day,  each  may  receive  a  crown  of  right- 
eousness, laid  up  by  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  one  God  with 
the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  world  without 
end. 

Assist  us,  0  Lord,  in  all  our  doings  with  thy 
most  gracious  favor,  and  further  us  with  thy  con- 
tinued help,  that  in  all  our  works,  begun,  con- 
tinued and  ended  in  thee,  we  may  glorify  thy 
holy  name;  and  finally,  by  thy  mercy  obtain  ev- 


ORDINATION  Of  ELDERS.  10  I 

evlasting   life,    1 1 1 r « » 1 1 i_r  1 1    JeSQfl   ( ' 1 1 r i s t    our    Lord. 
Amrn. 

The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, ke<  p  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ  oui  Lord;  and  the  blessing  of  God 
A t in iirht \ ,  tlif  Father,  tin;  Son  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be    with  yon    always.      Amen. 


FORM    AND    MANNER 

OF  ORDAINING  ELDERS. 

On  the  day  of  ordination  a  sermon  or  exhorta- 
tion shall  be  delivered:  alter  which  one  of  the 
elders  shall  read  aloud  the  names  of  the  persons 
to  be  ordained,  who  shall  answer  respectively, 
and  present  themselves  before  the  ministers  ap- 
pointed to  perform  the  ordination. 

One  of  the   ciders   shall  then   read  the    following 
passages  of  Holy  writ. 

"And  Jesus  came,  and  spake  unto  them,  say- 
ing, All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and 
IA earth.  Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Teaching 
them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have 
commanded  you:  and  lo,  I  am  with  vou  alwav, 
9* 


103  ORDINATION  OF   ELDERS. 

even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen." — Matt. 
xxviii.  18—20. 

"But  unto  every  one  of  us  is  given  grace  ac- 
cording to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ. 
Wherefore  he  saith,  when  he  ascended  up  on 
high,  he  led  captivity  captive,  and  gave  gifts  un- 
to men.  Now  that  he  ascended,  what  is  it  but 
that  he  also  descended  first  into  the  lower  parts 
of  the  earth?  He  that  descended  is  the  same 
also  that  ascended  up  far  above  all  heavens,  that 
he  might  fill  all  things.  And  he  gave  some  apos- 
tles; and  some  prophets;  and  some  evangelists; 
and  some  pastors  and  teachers.  For  the  per- 
fecting of  the  saints/  for  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ.  Till 
we  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect 
man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  ful- 
ness of  Christ. — Eph.  iv.  7 — 13. 

"This  is  a  true  saying,  if  a  man  desire  the  of- 
fice of  a  bishop,  he  desireth  a  good  work.  A 
bishop  then  must  be  blameless,  the  husband  of 
one  wife,  vigilant,  sober,  of  good  behaviour, 
given  to  hospitality,  apt  to  teach.  Not  given  to 
wine,  no  striker,  not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre;  but 
patient;  not  a  brawler,  not  covetous.  One  that 
ruleth  well  his  own  house,  having  his  children  in 
subjection  with  all  gravity.  (For  if  a  man  know 
not  how  to  rule  his  own  house,  how  shall  he 
take  care  of  the  church  of  God?)  Not  a  novice, 
lest  being  lifted  up  with  pride  he  fall  into  the 
condemnation  of  the  devil.  Moreover,  he  must 
have  a  good  report  of  them  which  are  without; 


ORB!*  AT  I  ON  Of  ELDERS.  103 

|gal  he    fall  into    reproach   and  the  snare  of  the 
devil."—  1  Tim.  1—7. 

Another  of  the  elders  shall  say  to    the  persons 
about  to  he  ordained* 

Beloved  brethren,  forasmuch  as  the  holy  scrip- 
tures command,  that  we  should  not  be  hasty  in 
laying  on  hand-,  and  admitting  persons  to  min- 
ister in  the  church  of  Christ,  therefore,  beforo 
ire  admit  you  to  the  office  of  elder  in  the  church 
of  God,  ire  will  examine  yon  in  the  presence  of 
this  congregation,  and  receive  your  answers  to 
the  following  questions. 

Are  you  rally  persuaded,  that  the  holy  scrip- 
tures contain  sufficiently  all  doctrine  required  of 
necessity  for  eternal  salvation?  and  will  you  out 
of  the  sann1  holy  scriptures  instruct  the  peo- 
<  pie,  and  teach  and  maintain  nothing,  as  of  ne- 
iv  required  lor  salvation,  but  that  which  you 
shall  be  persuaded  may  be  proved  by  them? 

Will  you  faithfully  exercise  yourself  in  the 
study  of  the  holy  scriptures,  and  call  upon  God, 
by  prayer,  for  the  true  understanding  of  the  same, 
so  that  you  may  be  able  to  teach  and  exhort 
with  wholesome  doctrine,  and  to  withstand 
and  convince  gains-; 

Will  you  deny  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
and  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this 
present  world,  that  you  may  .-hew  yourself  in  all 
things  a  worthy  example  to  the  flock  or  Christ? 

Will  you  diligently  endeavour  to  teach  and 
discipline  your  family  according  to  the  doctrine 


104  ORDINATION  OF  ELDERS. 

of  the  gospel,  and  make  them,  as  much  as  in  you 
lieth,  examples  to  others? 

Will  you  strive  to  maintain,  quietness, 
peace  and  love  among  all  christian  people,  and 
especially  among  them  who  are  committed  to 
your  care? 

Let  us  pray. 

All  shall  now  kneel  before  God,  and  the  elder  shall  say. 

Almighty  God,  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect 
gift,  mercifully  behold  these  thy  servants  now- 
set  apart  for  the  office  and  work  of  elders  in  thy 
church.  Grant  so  to  replenish  them  with  the 
truth  of  thy  doctrine,  and  adorn  them  with  in- 
nocency  of  life,  that  both  by  word  and  good  ex- 
ample, they  may  faithfully  serve  the  church  in 
this  office,  to  the  glory  of  thy  name,  and  the  edi- 
fication of  thy  people,  through  the  merits  of  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

The  elders  present  shall  then  lay  their  hands 
severally  upon  the  head  of  every  one  that  receiveth 
the  order  of  elder,  the  receivers  remaining  on  their 
knees,  for  the  convenience  of  the  ordainers. 

The  President  pronouncing"  aloud  the  following*  words. 

The  Lord  pour  upon  thee  the  Holy  Spirit  for 
the  office  and  work  of  an  elder,  committed  unto 
thee  by  the  election  of  thy  brethren,  and  the  im- 
position of  our  hands,  and  be  thou  faithful. 


ORDINVTION    OV    ELDLRS.  10G 

TVie  president   shall  then   deliver   to  each   one  of 
them  the  Bible  in  kit  hands,  saying, 

We  acknowledge  thy  authority  to  preach  this 
word,  and  to  administer  tha  ordinances  in  the 
church  of  Christ. 

Feed  the  flock  df  God,  taking  the  oversight 
thereof;  not  as  a  Lord  over  God's  heritage,  but 
being  an  example  to  the  flock.  And  when  tho 
chief  ihepherd  shall  appear  thou  shalt  receive  a 
crown  of  glory,  that  fadeth  not  away. 

Then  shall  the  president  say: 

Let  us  pray: 

Most  merciful  Father,  we  beseech  thee  to 
grant  unto  these  thy  servants,  now  set  apart  to 
the  office  of  elder,  thy  heavenly  blessing;  and 
so  indue  them  with  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  they, 
preaching  thy  word,  may  not  only  be  earnest  to 
reprove,  beseech,  and  exhort  with  all  patience 
and  long  suffering;  but  also  may  be  to  such  as 
believe,  wholesome  examples  in  doctrine,  iu 
conversation,  in  love,  in  faith,  in  charity,  in  pu- 
rity; that  faithfully  fulfilling  their  course,  at  the 
last  day  each  one  may  receive  a  crown  of 
righteousness  laid  up  by  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  who  liveth  and  rigneth  one  God  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Gho^t,  world  without  end. 

Assist  us,  0  Lord,  in  all  our  doings,  with  thy 

I"  most   precious   favour,   and  further  us  with    thy 


106  ORDINATION  OF  ELDERS. 

continued,  and  ended  in  thee,  we  may  glorify 
thy  holy  name,  and  finally,  by  thy  mercy,  ob- 
tain everlasting  life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 

Benediction. 

The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  understand- 
ing, keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the  love  of 
God,  and  of  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord; 
and  the  blessing  of  God  Almighty,  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you,  al- 
ways.    Amen. 


BOUNDARIES  oV  THE   RESPECTIVE 
DISTRICTS. 

1  Tin    Vermont  District, 

Shali  commence  at  the  south  east  corner  of 
the  stat(>  iA  Vermont;  thence  west  to  Lansuag- 
burgonthe  Northriver,  thence  up  the  same  and 
along  the  ('anal  by  Whitehall  and  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  to  the  Canada  line;  thence  east  to  the  near 
corner  of  New  Hampshire,  and  from  thence  to 
the  beginning. 

2  The  Boston  District, 

8  tall  include  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut. 

8  Niw  York   and   L<»wer  Canada  District. 

Lowqt  C  in  ad  a,  including  all  the  islands  in 
Lake  Champlain  to  Whitehall,  and  along  the 
Canal  to  Troy:  thence  west  to  Lake  Ontario; 
thence  north  with  the  Lake,  and  the  river  St, 
Lawrence,  to  the  Canada  line. 

4  The  Gennessee  District, 

Shall  be  bounded  on  the  east  and  south,  by  the 
Xew  York  and  Pennsylvania  Districts;  on  the 
west  and  north  by  Lake  Ontario,  and  Lake  Erie. 

C>  Tin;   New  York  District, 

Shall  commence  at  New  Brunswick;  thence  by 
a  straight  line  to  the  Delaware  river,  opposite  Eas- 
ton,  thence  north  to  the  interrection  of  the  line* 


108  BOUNDARIES    OF    THE 

of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and  New  York; 
thence  along  the  state  line  of  New  York  to  the 
boundary  of  the  Gennessee  Conference;  thence 
on  the  east  line  crossing  Connecticut  river,  so 
as  to  embrace  the  city  of  New  York,  and  to 
Norwalk,  and  persuing  south  with  the  East 
river,  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

6  The  Pennsylvania  District, 

Shall  include  all  that  state  east  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna river,  the  states  of  Delaware  and  New 
Jersey,  not  embraced  in  the  New  York  District, 
and  all  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  above 
the  Sassafras  river. 

7  The  Maryland  District, 

Includes  all  the  state  of  Maryland  except  Ce- 
cil county.  The  District  of  Columbia,  Acco- 
mack, Northampton,  Fairfax,  Prince  William, 
Loudoun,  Fauquier,  Jefferson,  Berkeley,  Frede- 
rick, Hampshire  and  Hardy  counties  in  Virginia; 
and  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  Alleghany 
Mountains,  to  the  western  branch  of  the  Susque- 
hannah  river  in  Pennsylvania;  thence  down  the 
river  to  Havre-de  grace. 

8  The  East  Virginia  DrsTRicr, 

Includes  all  the  state  of  Virginia,  East  of  the 
Alleghany  Mountains,  except  the  counties  at- 
tached to  the  Maryland  District. 

9  The  North  Carolina  District, 
Shall  include  all  the  state  of  North  Carolina. 


Ill  iPKC  1  I\  |    MM  HIC1S.  109 

10  Tin;  Tinm  BSE]    District 

Is  bounded  by  the  Alabama,  Ohio,  and  North 
Carolina  Districts. 

I  1    Tin:  ftlORGIA    Dli  PEK  i\ 

Shall  embrace  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  East 
Florida. 

IS  Tin;  ALABAMA   District, 

Shall  embrace  all  the  states  of  Alabama,  Mis- 
sissippi and  the  territory  of  West  Florida. 

13  The    Ohio  District, 

Shall  embrace  all  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  those 
parts  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  west  of  the 
Allegany  Mountains,  the  bordering  partsof  Ken- 
tucky, Indiana,  and  Illinois. 

The  presidents  of  adjoining  Conferences  may 
make  alterations  in  their  boundaries  respecting 
particular  places  and  appointments,  with  the 
consent  of  the  societies  immediately  concern- 
ed; all  which  shall  be  laid  before  their  approach- 
ing Annual  Conferences  for  adoption  or  re- 
jection. 

10 


(110) 

Allowance  to  Ministers   and   Preachers,    in  the 
employ  of  the  Annual  Conferences* 

1.  The  allowance  of  a  single  minister  or 
preacher,  shall  be  one  hundred  dollars  per  an- 
num, and  his  travelling  expenses. 

2.  The  allowance  of  a  married  minister  or 
preacher,  shall  be  two  hundred  dollars  per  an- 
num, and  his  travelling  expenses. 

3.  Each  child  of  a  minister,  or  preacher,  shall 
be  allowed  twenty  dollars  per  annum,  while  the 
parent  continues  in  the  itinerancy;  but  when  it 
shall  have  arrived  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  the 
annuity  shall  cease.  Those  ministers  or  preach- 
ers whose  wives  are  deceased,  shall  be  allow- 
ed for  each  child  annually,  a  sum  sufficient  to 
pay  its  board  during  the  above  term  of  years, 
unless  otherwise  provided  for  by  the  circuit  or 
station. 

4.  Widows  of  itinerant  ministers  or  preachers, 
whose  circumstances  require  it,  shall  be  allowed 
one  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  The  orphans 
of  ministers  and  preachers,  who  die  in  the  itine- 
rancy, shall  be  allowed  twenty  dollar  per  annum, 
until  they  shall  have  arrived  at  fourteen  years  of 
age. 

5.  Superannuated  ministers, #  shall  be  allowed 

*  A  superannuated  Minister  is  one  who  is  worn  out 
in  the  itinerant  service,  and  incapable  of  preaching 
constantly,  but  is  willing  to  perform  any  work  in  the 
ministry  to  which  his  strength  is  adequate.  Ministers  of 
this  description  are  permitted  to  select  their  place  of 
labour  and  residence,  for  any  definite  time. 


AI.l.ou  \s<  i     ro   MINISTERS.  111 

tin*  sane  compensation  as  is  made  to  effectiye 
ministers;  ;m<l  their  widows  and  orphans  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  same  allowance  as  is  made  to 
those  <>f  ministers  and  preachers  who  die  in  the 
itinerancy. 

t>.  Ministers  or  pr^chers,  not  under  the  sta- 
tionary authority  of  the  annual  conference  of 
their  district,  who  may  be  employed  by  an  annual 
conference  or  its  president,  for  any  definite  pe- 
riod, shall  ho  allowed  the  same  rate  of  compensa- 
tion for  the  time  of  service,  as  is  allowed  to 
itinerant  ministers  or  preachers. 


It  is  recommended  that  each  annual  confer- 
ence, at  its  first  session,  institute  and  organize 
a  henevolent  society,  having  for  its  object  the 
relief  and  support  of  superannuated  itinerant 
ministers,  and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  those 
ministers  and  preachers  who  shall  have  died  in 
rvice  of  the  conference. 

It  is  also  recommended,  that  our  friends,  male 
and  female,  in  every  circuit  and  station,  raise 
Preachers1  Aid  Societies,  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
sisting to  make  up  the  deficiencies  of  quarterage 
allowed  by  discipline,  to  ministers  and  preach- 
ers, their  wives,  widows,  and  children. 


(  112) 

GENEHAL  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE 

PUBLICATION  OF  BOOKS,  TRACTS,  &c. 

There  shall  be  a  Book  Committee,  consisting 
of  five  persons,  all  ministers  or  members  of  this 
church,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  select,  from 
time  to  time,  such  books,  tracts,  &c.  for  publi- 
cation, as  a  majority  of  them  may  deem  proper; 
but  no  book  shall  be  published  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  book  agent. 

The  following  named  persons  shall  consti- 
tute the  book  committee,  Francis  Waters,  James 
R.  Williams,  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  John  Chap- 
pell,  and  John  H.  Kennard,  to  serve  until  the 
sitting  of  the  general  conference  of  this  church 
in  May,  1834. 

The  annual  conference  of  the  Maryland  dis- 
trict, shall  have  power  to  fill  all  vacancies 
occuring  in  the  committee.  In  the  interval  of . 
conference,  the  committee  may  fill  its  own  va- 
cancies, subject,  however,  to  the  approval  or  re- 
jection of  the  annual  conference. 

Brother  John  J.  Harrod,  of  Baltimore,  shall 
be  book  agent,  and  shall  publish  such  books, 
tracts,  &c.  as  may  be  agreed  on  by  the  book  com- 
mittee and  himself;  all  of  which  shall  be  sold  to 
the  conferences,  preachers  and  members  at  whole- 
sale prices. 

He  shall  make  a  discount  of  ten  per  cent,  from 
the  wholesale  prices,  on  all  moneys  paid  to  him 
by  the  conferences,    preachers,  and    members; 


PUBLICATION  OF   BOOH  1  I -J 

winch  ten  per  cetit.  shall  be  paid  over  to  the 
hook  committee,  to  be  held  bj  them  as  a  book 
fund  for  the  church.  The  funds  thus  raised 
■hall  be  invested  by  the  committee  if  they  judge 
proper. 

The  hook  agent  shall  make  an  exhibit  to  the 
|ommittee,  every  six  months,  shewing  the  a- 
mount  of  sales  made  to  the  preachers,  &c.  and 
pay  over  to  the  committee  the  per  centage  in 
hand. 

In  the  event  of  th<4  death  or  resignation  of 
the  hook  audit  the  committee  Bhall  appoint 
another. 

The  hook  agent  may  place  at  the  disposal  of 
the  respective  annual  conference  -towards,  such 
hooks  as  tin  y  order,  and  for  the  payment  of 
which  their  respective  conferences  become  res- 
ponsihle. 

When  a  conference  steward  is  not  re-elected, 
he  shall  make  a  full  statement  of  all  the  books 
sold  and  those  remaining  in  his  district;  and  make 
a  transfer  to  his  successor,  of  all  the  books  and 
accounts  left  with  the  preachers  in  the  district, 
the  amount  of  which  shall  go  to  his  credit,  and 
past  to  the  debit  of  his  successor. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  the  conference 
Stewards,  having  accounts  open  with  the  book 
agent,  to  pay  over  to  him,  or  his  agent,  annual- 
ly, or  oftener,  all  tin1  moneys  in  their  hands,  or 
which  may  be  due  from  them,  rendering  at  the 
same  time  an  account  of  all  the  hook-  remain- 
ing in  their  district  unsold;  and  it  shall  be  the 
10' 


114  PUBLICATION   OF  BOOKS. 

duty  of  the  preachers,  in  stations  or  circuits 
having  accounts  with  the  conference  steward,  to 
make  settlement  and  render  payment  in  a  sim- 
ilar way.  When  a  preacher  leaves  his  station 
or  circuit,  he  must  settle  with  the  conference 
steward  for  all  the  books  he  has  disposed  of, 
and  make  out  an  inventory  of  all  that  remain 
unsold,  which  shall  be  collected  at  one  place: 
the  amount  shall  go  to  his  credit,  and  be  trans- 
ferred to  his  successor  who  shall  take  charge 
of  the  same,  provided  the  conference  steward 
consent  to  the  transfer. 

Every  annual  conference  shall  appoint  a  com- 
mittee, to  examine  the  accounts  of  the  confer- 
ence steward  and  preachers,  in  their  respective 
stations  and  circuits.  If  any  preacher  or  mem- 
ber be  indebted  for  books  or  for  the  Mutual 
Rights  and  Methodist  Protestant,  and  refuse  to 
make  payment,  or  come  to  a  just  settlement,  let 
him  be  dealt  with  as  for  a  breach  of  trust,  and 
such  measures  be  adopted  for  the  recovery  of 
such  debts  as  shall  be  agreeable  to  the  directions 
of  the  annual  conferences  respectively. 


Resolved,  That  the  hymn  book,  published  by 
brother  John  J.  Harrod,  and  adopted  by  this 
convention,    be  used    in  all    our  churches. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  annual  conferences 
be,  and  they  are  hereby  most  earnestly  request- 
ed to  adopt  such  measures,  as  in  their  wisdom 
they  may  deem  most  proper,  for  the  purpose  of 
creating  additional  funds,  to  aid  in  the  establish- 


PUBLICATION  of  periodical.  118 

mom  of  i  book  concern  I'V  the  ensuing  general 
conference. 


GENSRAL  REGULATIONS  FOR  THE 

PUBLICATION  OF  A  WEEKLY  PAPER, 

Entitled  the  Mutual  Rights  and  Methodist  Protestant. 

There  shall  be  B  weekly  periodical  published 
in  Baltimore,  entitled  the  Mutual  Rights  and 
Methodist  Protestant.  The  net!  proceeds  of  the 
paper  shall  be  paid  over  annually,  to  the  book 
committee,  to  be  invested  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  fund  for  a  book  concern. 

On  the  representation  of  any  three  members 
of  the  book  committee,  the  annual  conference 
of  the  Maryland  district  shall  have  power,  if  they 
judge  it  necessary,  to  remove  the  editor.  In  the 
evmt  ot  the  death,  removal,  or  resignation  of 
the  editor,  the  book  committee  shall  appoint 
another;  and  the  subscription  list,  and  all  books, 
manuscripts,  accounts,  &x.  belonging  to  the 
paper,  together  with  all  surplus  moneys,  remain- 
ing in  the  hands  of  the  editor,  or  his  executor, 
shall  be  delivered  up  to  the  committee. 

The  editor  shall  make  an  exhibit  to  the  book 
committee  every  three  mouths,  shewing  the  state 
of  the  subscription  list,  together  with  his  receipts 
and  disbursements  during  the  ouarter. 


116  COURSE  OF    READING. 

Resolved,  That  this  convention  respectfully 
Tequest  the  zealous  co-operation  of  the  minis- 
ters, preachers,  members  and  friends  of  this 
Church  in  extending  the  circulation  of  the  Mu- 
tual Rights  and  Methodist  Protestant. 


The  following  course  of  reading  is  prescrib- 
ed for  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  this 
Church: 

Class  1st. 

*The  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments. 

Dr.  Adam  Clarke's  Commentary. 

Home's  Introduction  to  the  study  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures. 

*Paley's  Horae  Paulinae. 

#Prideaux'  Connexions 

*  Wesley's  Sermons  and  Notes. 
*Fletcher's  Checks. 

Class  2d. 

Clarke's  Evidences  of  Natural  and  Revealed 
Religion.    8vo. 

Clarke's  Grotius.     8vo. 
*Paley's  Natural  Theology. 
*Butler's  Analogy. 
*Paley's  Evidences  of  Christianity. 
Magee  on  the  Atonement. 

*  Watts  on  the  Mind. 
^Hedge's  Logic. 


cot'Rsf,  op  kkadino.  117 

Brown's  Philosophy. 
*Jamieson's  Rhetoric. 

Class  3d. 

Watson's  Institutes. 

Dwight's  Theology. 

* Jones  on  the  Trinity. 

*CampbelPs  Lectures  on  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory. 

'Mosheim's  Ecclesiastical  History. 

*Rollins  Ancient  History. 

Wells'  Geography  of  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments. 

Hannah  Moore's  Works. 

•Milton's  Paradise  Lost. 

Pollock's  Course  of  Time. 

Cowper's  Task. 

*Adam  Clarke's  Manual. 
Do.       Eucharist. 

Constitution  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church. 

Candidates  for  the  ministry,  will  be  expected 
to  read,  or  consult,  carefully,  the  above  books, 
as  far  as  may  be  practicable,  and  at  any  rate  to 
be  prepared  on  those  marked  thus  (#)  previous  to 
their  admission. 

It  is  also  recommended,  that  Butterworth's 
Concordance  be  used  in  the  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  that  students  and  preachers  make 
themselves  familiar  with  Insrersoll's  or  Kirk- 


118 

ham's  English  Grammar,  and  Walker's  Key  to 
the  pronunciation  of  the  proper  names  which 
occur  in  the  Scriptures.  These  books  should 
always  be  kept  ready  at  hand. 


119 


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TO   THE 
MINISTERS    AND  MEMBERS 

OF  THE 

METHODIST  PROTESTANT  CHURCH. 

Beloved  brethren,  it  is  matter  of  unspeakable 
joy  and  gratitude,  that,  under  the  control  and 
blessing  of  Almighty  God,  the  deliberations  of 
our  convention  have  been  brought  to  so  favour- 
able an  issue.     We  are  now  sacredly  confeder- 
ated in  virtue  of  an  instrument,  which  has  been 
the  result  of  much  intense  and  candid  reflection 
and  dijcussion;  and  which  is  based,  we  humbly 
trust,  on  the  clearest  principles  of  the  natural 
and  religious  rights  of  man.     Our  moral  regula- 
tions   have  also  been   carefully   and  studiously 
framed  in  view  of  the  precepts  and  authority  of 
the   sacred  canon,  and   will  be  found,  we  hope, 
to  be  sustained  by  that  high  sanction. 

All  ecclesiastical  regulations  and  discipline 
should  definitively  have  for  their  object  the  im- 
provement of  man  in  virtue  and  happiness. 
Such,    we  are  informed  is  positively  the  design 


129 

of  the  inspired  writings,  "that  the  toan  of  Gkfd 

mav  fee  perfect,  thoroughly  for  Dished  unto  all 
good  works.''  It  is  clear  frottl  the  doctrine  of 
the  holy  scriptures,  thai  divine  truth  is  not  only 

intended  for  the  purposes  of  illumination  and 
conviction,  but  also  for  spiritual  influence  and 
sanctification:  and  that  the  nature  and  sincerity 
of  faith  must  ever  be  tested  by  an  affectionate 
and  holy  obedience.  If  ye  love  me,  says  our 
Saviour,  keep  my  commandments.  This  princi- 
ple, which  is  never  questioned  in  regard  to  the 
positive  precepts  of  revelation,  certainly  operates 
with  proportionate  authority  and  reason  in  all 
those  rules  of  moral  and  religious  conduct,  which, 
although  not  literally  and  explicitly  prescribed 
in  the  gospel,  are  notwithstanding  to  be  inferred 
from  it  by  a  fair  and  obvious  construction.  We 
now  allude  to  those  plain  and  reasonable  duties 
of  religion  which  we  have  thought  proper  to  de- 
nominate means  of  grace,  which  we  have  con- 
nected as  such  in  our  church  ritual  with  others 
of  divine  and  positive  institution,  and  the  ob- 
servance of  all  which  would  no  doubt  greatly 
contribute  to  our  growth  and  improvement  in 
christian  knowledge  and  excellence. 

The  character  of  a  good  man  consists  essen- 
tially of  good   and   upright  principles,  and  that 


130 

character  can  be  known  and  appreciated  only  by 
the  virtues  which  unfold  and  display  it.  For  us 
then  to  be  esteemed  true  believers,  we  must  have 
and  cultivate  the  genuine  faith  of  the  gospel,  and 
to  merit  justly  the  distinguishing  name  of  the 
disciples  of  Christ,  it  doubtless  becomes  us  to 
exemplify  the  spirit  and  temper  of  his  holy  reli- 
gion. As  christians  it  plainly  behooves  us  to  be 
sound  in  the  pure  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
steadfast  in  the  faith  which  was  once  delivered 
to  the  saints,  careful  and  instructive  in  example 
and  deportment,  diligent  in  improving  all  the 
means  of  spiritual  attainment,  watchful  and  so- 
licitous for  the  welfare  of  our  brethren,  and  zeal- 
ous to  promote  and  extend  in  every  possible  man- 
ner the  cause  and  glory  of  the  Redeemer.  All 
these  high  objects  and  incitements  seem  measura- 
bly at  least  presented  and  secured  to  us  by  the 
labours  of  the  convention. 

Let  us  now,  for  a  moment,  bestow  a  serious 
thought  upon  the  daily  and  uniform  example, 
which,  as  the  followers  of  Christ,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  our  highly  favoured  fellowship,  it  is  pro- 
videntially made  our  duty  and  glory  to  display, 
whilst  we  more  particularly  consider  the  great 
practical  utility  of  those  means  of  grace  which 
have  been  so  wisely  and  happily  adopted  for  the 


131 

promotion  of  oui  spiritual  improvement  and  comn 
fort 

I.   The   study   of  the    holy   scriptures.      Ilorc 
but  a  few  words  are  sufficient.     No  man,  unleea 

he  kn<>\\s  and  understands  his  duty,  can  dis- 
charge it  as  a  virtue,  and  with  acceptance  to 
God.  This  position  is  clear  and  incontroverti- 
ble. Our  Saviour  has  Biated  it  in  a  plain  and 
emphatic  declaration;  if  ye  know  these  things, 
happy  are  ye,  if  yo  db  them.  So  far  then  as  duty 
is  concerned]  fre  acknowledge  od  all  hands,  that 
♦he  Bible  is  the  ureal,  and  sutlicient  source  of 
light  and  instruction  to  us  on  every  point  of  faith 
and  practice.  Hut  this -acred  Book  we  Bhould 
read  and  study,  not  only  to  make  us  wise  in  the 
M-iencc  of  salvation,  to  fiirnish  us  with  the  rea- 
sons and  evidences  of  our  faith,  and  with  argu- 
ments to  refute  and  repel  the  cavils  of  gainsay- 
ers,  but  also  to  sustain  and  console  us,  with  its 
rich  and  abundant  promises,  on  every  occasion 
of  mental  depression  and  conflict.  Says  the 
Psalmist,  thy  word  i-  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and 
a  light  unto  my  path.  Unless  thy  law  had  been 
my  delight,  I  should  have  perished  in  min< 
lliction.  Such  is  the  testimony  of  an  an< 
servant  of  God,  a  testimony,  which  has  bei  D 
gracioi^ly  repeated  and  realised  a  thousand  times 


132 

in  every  age  of  the  church.  Let  us  all  therefore 
make  it  a  point  of  duty  to  read  the  word  of  God 
daily,  and  implore  the  divine  blessing  upon  our 
meditations,  that  his  word  may  do  us  good,  as  it 
doth  the  upright  in  heart. 

2.  The  worship  of  God.  1.  Private  prayer. 
It  is  recommended  from  the  experience  of  pious 
and  good  men  in  all  ages,  as  well  as  from  the 
holy  scriptures,  that  the  people  of  God  have  daily 
their  hours  and  seasons  for  mental  retirement 
and  devotion.  This  is  a  duty  which,  in  view  of 
its  absolute  necessity  to  the  inward  discipline 
and  comfort  of  the  soul,  and  its  many  other  ad- 
vantages, ought  always  to  be  punctually  attend- 
ed to,  and  never  neglected;  and  which  should  in 
a  manner  be  estimated  as  the  special  medium  of 
personal  intercourse  and  communion  with  God* 
Not  only  is  the  duty  assigned  and  expressly  in- 
culcated by  Christ,  but  also  its  peculiar  blessings 
and  fruits  he  has  most  distinctly  marked  out  and 
portrayed.  No  one  indeed  can  justly  value  the 
benefits  of  private  prayer,  but  every  one,  who  has 
ever  been  regularly  and  habitually  engaged  in 
this  duty,  knows  well,  to  his  pain  and  condem- 
nation, how  soon,  upon  the  desertion  of  his  clo- 
set, his  soul  has  declined  in  the  spirit  and  enjoy- 
ment of  religion.     Let  every  one  of  our  mem- 


183 

bers  thru  be  found  itatedlj  and  punctually,  three 
or  four  tines  in  the  day,  upon  his  knee-  before 

God,  and  it  will  evidently  appear  how  God  re- 
wards hi^  people  openly,  and  honours  with  his 
favour  and  blessing  those  who  honour  him. 

2.  Family  worship.  This  is  all  important  to 
the  purposes  of  famil y  religion,  and  good  domes- 
tic order  and  government.  The  effect*  produced 
thereby  upon  the  minds  of  children  and  do- 
mestics, and  the  comfort  imparted  by  the  same 
means  to  the  heads  of  families  themselves,  are 
really  incalculable.  The  voice  of  rej  >\c  i »ilt  and 
salvation  i^  in  the  tabernacles  of  the  righteous. 
Is  this  the  testimony  of  eternal  truth?  Let  it 
not  then  be  said  of  us, beloved  brethren,  that  there 
is  one  household  throughout  our  community  in 
which  the  parents,  and  children,  and  servants, 
are  not  regulatly  presented  before  God,  morning 
and  evening,  in  offices  of  prayer  and  praise.  On 
this  subject,  let  none  plead  the  want  of  talent 
or  experience.  It  is  the  offering  of  the  heart 
which  God  appreciates  and  accepts;  and  no 
doubt,  the  special  blessing  of  heaven  will  de- 
scend upon  that  family,  wherein  a  portion  of  the 
scriptures  only  is  re; id  as  an  cere 
homage  and  devotion  to  the  Almighty. 

3.  The  house  of  God.     That   kind   of  influ- 

12 


134 

ence  which  family  religion,  regularly  maintain- 
ed, exerts  over  the  domestic  circle,  the  public 
worship  of  God,  duly  and  statedly  celebrated, 
extends  over  the  community  at  large.  Agreea- 
bly to  the  very  spirit  and  nature  of  a  religious 
profession,  as  well  as  the  express  letter  of  the 
New  Testament,  it  must  certainly  be  admitted, 
that  every  member  of  the  church  is  held  respon- 
sible to  attend  the  services  of  the  house  of  God. 
Forsake  not  the  assembling  of  yourselves  to- 
gether, is  a  positive  and  sacred  command. 
Where  even  two  or  three  are  met  together  in  my 
name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them,  is  a  pro- 
mise equally  delightful  and  encouraging.  As  we 
then  regard  the  authority  of  Jesus  Christ;  as  we 
value  means  which  God  himself  has  instituted 
and  blessed  a  thousand  times  over;  as  we  feel 
solicitous  for  the  influence  of  Christianity  upon 
public  opinion,  and  public  morals;  as  we  are  con- 
cerned for  the  conversion  of  our  children  and 
our  friends;  as  we  are  deeply  interested  for  the 
revival,  and  spread  of  the  work  of  grace  under 
our  ministry,  and  the  extending  prosperity  of  our 
beloved  Zion;  as  we  hold  all  of  these  objects 
dear  to  our  hearts,  let  every  Methodist  Protes- 
tant be  always  ready  to  enter  in  at  the  sanctuary 


136 

of  Jehovah,  ami  be  seen  in    his   proper  place  on 
the  Lord's  day. 

In   tikis  connexion,  we  may   make    a  remark 
upon  the  duty  of  punctual  and  devoutattendance 
on  those  more  intimate  and    social    fellowships, 
known  amongst  us,  bv  the  name    of  c!a-s  meet- 
ings.     The  importance  and  advantages  of  this 
means  of  grace  are  not  now  left  to  await  the  re- 
port of  experiment.     The  edification  and  com- 
fort derivable  from   them,  their  peculiar  adapta- 
tion to  unfold  and  improve  the  varieties  and  vi- 
cissitudes of  religious  experience,  their  precise 
accommodation    to  all  the  diversified  shades  of 
christian  trial,  and  christian  character,  can  only 
be  duly  estimated  by  such   as  have   mingled    in 
those  interesting  and  heavenly  scenes  and  occa- 
sions, where  the  disconsolate  have  been  relieved 
and    blessed;   the  broken    hearted  penitent  has 
found  the  Saviour  of  sinful  men;  the   weak  and 
tempted  have  been  strengthened  and  delivered; 
the  doubting  confirmed,  and  the  faithful  people 
of  God  have  taken  sweet  counsel   together,  and 
felt  their  cup  of  spiritual  joy  to  be  full  and  over- 
flowing. 

If,  in  any  respect,  christian  brethren,  these 
meetings  have  degenerated  under  our  notice  and 
observation,  it  remains  lor  us  to  endeavour,  with 


136 

the  blessing  of  God,  to  revive  them  according  to 
the  genuine  spirit  of  their  original  intention  and 
tested  excellence,  and  thus  secure  to  our  fellow- 
ship the  benefits  of  an  institution,  which  God  has 
so  signally  blessed  to  thousands  both  in  Europe 
and  America. 

3.  The  Lord's  supper.  Is  it  necessary  to  state 
the  importance  and  obligation  of  frequenting 
this  means  of  grace?  Surely  it  is  enough,  that 
Christ  himself  instituted  this  holy  and  distin- 
guishing ordinance  of  the  New  Testament,  at  the 
most  affecting  and  impressive  period  of  his  earth- 
ly history;  and  has  solemnly  enjoined  the  obser- 
vation of  it  upon  every  member  of  his  church. 

This  do  ye  in  remembrance  of  me.  For  as 
often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye 
do  show  the  Lord's  death,  till  he  come.  Such 
are  the  interesting  views  given  us  of  this  subject 
in  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  who  can  read  them, 
and  much  more,  who  can  approach  the  memori- 
als of  his  Saviour's  sufferings  and  death,  with- 
out having  his  heart  deeply  penetrated  with  a 
sense  of  the  great  and  destructive  evil  of  sin, 
and  his  faith  and  hope  elevated  exclusively 
to  that  Redeemer,  who  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  and  bruised  for  our  iniquities?  Let 
us  therefore,  beloved   brethren,  with  constancy 


11? 

and   holy  delight,  honour,  on  all    occasions,  this 
positive  institution  of  our  divine  master. 

4.  Patting  or  abstinence,  as  a  christian  duty 
and  a  means  of  grace,  claims  unquestionable  re- 
spect from  everj  professor  of  religion.  Whether 
used  for  the  purposes  of  health,  lor  personal 
mortification  anil  self-denial,  as  a  fit  occasion  of 
appropriately  and  seriously  considering  the  po- 
verty and  distress  which  afflict  so  many  thou- 
sands of  our  race,  a-  a  means  of  weakening  and 
subduing  our  eartl  \j  affections,  or  a  season  of 
supplicating  the  blessing  oi  God,  in  view  of 
any  especial  object — i<>v  any  which  purpoft  it  may 
properly  be  used — this  kind  of  discipline  will 
often  be  found  of  great  and  salutary  service  to 
the  soul.  The  frequency  oi  resorting  to  this 
means  of  grace  must  be  left,  to  a  great  extent, 
with  the  conscience  and  judgment  of  the  indivi- 
dual himself;  but  still  we  hope  that  it  will  be  the 
practice  generally,  throughout  our  fellowship,  to 
observe  with  due  respect  the  Friday  preceding 
each  quarterly  meeting,  as  a  day  of  lasting  or  ab- 
stinence, and  prayer. 

5.  Having  said  thus  much  about  the  means  of 
grace,  we  would  now  aiVectionately  claim  vour 
attention  to  some  other  subjects  of  a  more  moral 
nature,  but  yet  of  scarcely  less  importance  and 

10-  ' 


138 

concern.  1.  The  religious  education  of  our 
children.  This  duty  seems,  in  some  sense,  to  be 
taught  and  inculcated  by  the  very  suggestions  of 
nature,  in  that  instinctive  solicitude  which  the 
parent  feels  to  protect  and  provide  for  the  wel- 
fare of  his  offspring  in  every  possible  manner.  In 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  at  least,  it  is  mostpositively 
enjoined,  and,  with  the  reasons  there  furnished 
for  the  necessity  and  character  of  the  claim,  it 
must  recommend  itself  to  every  man's  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God.  Here  then, it  is  not 
too  much  to  say,  revelation  and  nature  conspire 
to  command  and  engage  our  strictest  attention. 
The  subject  is  also  rendered  more  sacred,  if  pos- 
sible, and  dearer  to  our  affections,  from  the  fact, 
that  our  church  now  recognizes  the  children  of 
its  members  as  solemnly  dedicated  to  God  in 
baptism,  and  as  fit  subjects  of  religious  instruc- 
tion, and  pastoral  oversight.  We  hope  that 
none  of  us  will  be  indifferent  to  this  excellent 
and  judicious  arrangement,  but  that  all  will  ap- 
preciate and  improve  it  as  a  means  by  which  our 
children  may,  under  God's  blessing,  be  safely 
conducted  to  the  knowledge  of  himself;  that  our 
sons  may  be  as  plants  grown  up  in  their  youth; 
and  that  our  daughters  may  be  as  corner-stones, 
polished  after  the  similitude  of  a  palace. 


188 

2.  The  ncred  observance  of  the  sabbath  day. 
Already  we  have  expressed  a  sincere  hope,  that 
every  member  of  oorchurch  will  be  punctual  in 
his  attendance  at  the  bouse  of  (iod.  Besides 
this,  we  trust  that  all  will  be  concerned  to  hold 
up  the  sabbath  throughout,  as  a  day  of  sacred 
rest  from  any  worldly  employment,  or  any- 
worldly  recreation  and  amusement;  and  to  re- 
vere and  observe  it  as  a  day  which  God  himself 
hath  blessed  and  hallowed.  A  caution  of  this 
kind,  and  due  respect  to  it  from  us  individually, 
we  think  the  more  necessary  and  seasonable  at 
this  time,  as,  in  the  rapid  improvements  of  the 
present  age,  by  steam,  and  other  mechanical 
contrivances,  the  facilities  of  travelling  and  visit- 
ing, and  the  objects  of  curiosity,  are  so  multipli- 
ed and  varied,  that  the  professors  of  religion 
have  need  of  constant  care,  that  they  do  not, 
under  such  illusive  and  ensnaring  pretences, 
fall  into  the  spirit  and  customs  of  the  world.  Let 
the  members  of  our  church  know  that  they  are 
called  to  be  a.  holy  people. 

3.  The  medicinal  use  of  ardent  spirits.  Rea- 
sons analogous  to  those  just  offered  on  the  last 
point,  might  here  be  applied  and  urged  why,  as 
the  followers  of  Christ,  we  should  be  infinitely 
vigilant  against  an  evil,  which  is   ever  so   ready 


140 

to  creep  upon  us  under  the  guise  of  necessity; 
and  why,  as  the  friends  not  only  of  religion  but 
humanity,  we  should  employ  our  united  efforts 
to  discourage  and  annihilate  a  fatal  custom, 
which  has  ruined,  and  is  still  ruining,  here  and 
hereafter,  thousands  of  immortal  beings.  It  has 
been  well  said,  that  there  would  be  no  intemper- 
ate men,  if  there  were  not  at  first  temperate  men. 
This  truth  we  would  do  well  to  remember  at  all 
times,  and  to  give  it  as  much  practical  influence 
as  possible  upon  the  community.  In  the  use  of 
the  article  now  under- consideration,  long  expe- 
rience has  shown  that  there  is  scarce  any  such 
thins  as  a  safe  and  innocent  medium.  As  a  me- 
dicine, it  may  be  used,  under  the  advice  of  a  skil- 
ful physician,  but  even  then,  like  other  medi- 
cines, sparingly  and  unfrequently,  to  be  of  any 
salutary  and  permanent  service.  We  pray  then, 
that  our  people  may  individually  show  an  instruc- 
tive and  forcible  example  on  this  subject,  and  be 
forward  and  active  to  promote,  at  least  by  coun- 
sel and  practice,  the  exertions  now  making  in 
many  parts  of  American  Christendom,  to  lessen 
and  ultimately  extirpate  a  vice,  which  has  blight- 
ed so  many  brilliant  minds,  caused  so  much  pub- 
lic and  domestic  calamity  and  distress,  and  sent 


Ill 

to  the  wtrld  of  perdition  and   despair  such  num- 
bers of  invaluable  soul*. 
4.  In  addition  to  wh.it  has  been  said,  we  would 

now  make  a  remark  or  two  on  the  cultivation  of 
a  proper  and  characteristic  christian  spirit  and 
temper.     This  is  doubtless  necessary   amongst 
ourselves,  and  also  in  relation  to  the   numerous 
and  growing  religious  fraternities  with  which  we 
are   partlv  surrounded,  and  in  which  we  partly 
mingle,  and  all    of  which  are  alike  engaged,  as 
we  charitably  hope,  in   the  one  great  cause  of  ex- 
tending the  Redeemer's   name   and  glory.     Of 
others  let  us  judge,  and  towards  them  let  us  act, 
at  all  times,  upon  the  enlighted  principles  of  chris- 
tian respect,  forbearance, and  liberality.  Amongst 
ourselves  let  us  ever  be  careful  and  solicitous  to 
cherish   and  maintain   good   feeling  and    union. 
We  are  indeed  brethren — of  the  same  fold — en- 
joying one  common  altar — engaged  in  the   same 
important  and  sublime  concern  — and  professing 
common  views  of  doctrine,  of  discipline  and  go- 
vernment.    In  view  of  these  interesting  facts 
permit  us  now  to  suggest,  that  we  endeavour  on 
all   occasions,  to  preserve   within  ourselves,  and 
promote  in  each  other,  the  genuine  and  amiable 
spirit  of  the  gospel  of  peace;  ami,  where  circum- 
stances will  possibly  admit,  that  we  adjust  and 


142 

settle  any  difficulties  which  may  occur  in  the 
transactions  of  business  by  a  fair  and  mutual  ar- 
bitration, without  recourse  to  those  legal  proceed- 
ings which  are  so  apt  to  engender  a  litigious  tem- 
per, and  to  spoil  the  quiet  and  comfort  of  social 
as  well  as  religious  life. 

6.  We  feel  confident,  beloved  brethren,  that 
you  will  not  think  that  we  have  insisted  too 
strongly  upon  the  importance  of  our  attending 
punctually  to  the  means  of  grace,  and  the  consis- 
tency of  our  exemplifying,  on  all  occasions,  a  cor- 
responding religious  character  and  deportment. 
We  have  said  so  much  chiefly  to  awaken  season- 
able recollections,  and  to  enkindle  sacred  and 
fervent  resolutions,  in  regard  to  duties  and  con- 
cerns of  equal  moment  and  interest  to  us  all. 
For  the  rising  hopes  and  prosperity  of  our  infant 
Zion,  and  the  diffusion  and  influence  of  scriptu- 
ral holiness  under  our  ministry,  certainly  we 
all  should  feel  and  cultivate  a  deep  and  common 
solicitude.  All  the  institutions  of  the  church, 
and  all  its  operations,  literary,  moral  and  reli- 
gious, should  be  subjects  of  our  daily  reflections 
and  prayers. 

But  it  is  a  plain  case,  that  no  man  will  feel  or 
can  feel,  a  proper  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
church,  who  enjoys  not  himself  a  heartfelt  com- 


[43 

mtraion  with  God.  Hence  personal  piety,  in- 
ward holiness,  is  the  paramount  concern  after 
all.  Without  charity,  without  the  love  of  God 
in  the  soul,  all  eloquence, 

enterprise,  influence,  toil  or  hardship,  all  i<  no- 
thing: a  sounding  brass,  or  a  tinkling  cymbal,  of 
no  price  in  the  sight  of  God,  of  no  real  worth  to 
man.  Let  every  one  of  us,  therefore,  covenant 
now  with  God,  to  endeavour,  with  his  assisting 
and  supporting  grace,  to  attain  a  deeper  acquaint- 
ance with  divine  things,  to  ha  lind  which 
u;h  in  <»  ir  great  living  Head,  to  seek  those 
things  winch  art  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  (rod.  to  walk  in  the  light  as  he 
is  in  the  light,  to  have  no  fellowship  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness;  but  to  wrestle  with 
God  night  and  day,  for  an  increase  of  personal 
piety,  and  the  gracions  and  abundant  out-pour- 
m_  -  of  his  good  spirit.  Let  every  member  con- 
sider himself  a  fellow-citizen  with  the  saints,  and 
of  the  househ  >ld  of  God,  and  as  Buoh,  prize  his 
glorious  callings,  and  improve  his  peculiar  privi- 
leges as  a  child  of  God. 

Let  every  minister  study  to  show  himself  ap- 
proved unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth: 
saying   in   the    language    of  the   prophet,    For 


144 

Zion's  sake  will  I  not  hold  my  peace,  and  for 
Jerusalem's  sake  1  will  not  rest,  until  the  right- 
eousness thereof  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  the 
salvation  thereof,  as  a  lamp  that  burneth.  And 
when  the  chief  shepherd  shall  appear,  ye  all  shall 
receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away. 

Surely,  brethren,  this  is  the  day  which  the 
Lord  hath  made;  we  will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in 
it:  save  now,  we  beseech  thee,  0  Lord;  0  Lord, 
we  beseech  thee,  send  now  prosperity. 


RECOMMENDED 

By  the  Book  Committee,  that  the  following  be  the 
general  regulations  in  the  creation  of  Colleges. 

When  it  is  determined  by  an  annual  confer- 
ence to  organize  a  college,  let  the  President  of 
the  district,  at  the  direction  of  the  conference, 
open  and  carry  round  a  subscription  book;  and 
when  he  shall  have  received  subscriptions,  equal 
to  two  thirds  of  the  supposed  cost  of  the  neces- 
sary buildings,  &,c.  let  him  call  upon  each  cir- 
cuit and  station,  within  the  district,  to  appoint 
one  member  of  a  building  committee.  When 
the  building  committee  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  circuits  and  stations,  make  it  their  duty  to 


146 

meet  tit  some  central  part  of  the  district,  prepare 
a  plan  for  the  buildings,  and  select  an  eligible 
scite;  and  in  due  tune  have  tlie  buildings  erect- 
ed, and  pay  for  the  same  out  of  the  moneys 
subscribed  and  collected. 

Let  it  also  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to 
appoint,  by  ballot,  trustees  to  hold  the  proper- 
ty, by  charter  of  the  state,  for  the  purposes  con- 
templated in  its  obtainment.  When  the  trustees 
are  elected,  let  them  have  power  to  become  incor- 
porated; to  elect  a  president  and  faculty  to  con- 
duct the  studies  of  the  college;  and  to  fix  their 
compensation  and  periods  of  service;  to  regulate 
the  charges  of  tuition;  and,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  president  and  facility  of  the  college,  to 
make  such  rules  and  regulations  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  institution,  as  they  may  deem  requi- 
site. 

Let  the  annual  conference  of  the  district  have 
power  to  fill  all  vacancies  that  may  occur  in  the 
board  of  trustees,  by  death,  resignation  or  other- 
wise. And  to  require  an  annual  exhibit  to  the 
conference  of  the  true  state  and  condition  of 
the  college,  and  such  other  information  as  may 
be  deemed  necessary,  or  desirable. 


13 


INDEX 

TO  THE 

CONSTITUTION. 


Page 
Elementary  principles,  -        -        -         14 

ARTICLE  I. 

Title. 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  15 

ARTICLE  II. 

Terms  of  Membership. 
Sec.  I.  Terms  of  membership,      -         -  " 

"    II.  State  of  probation,  16 

M    III.  Children  recognised  as  enjoying 

probationary  privileges,       -  " 

ARTICLE  III. 

Division  into  Districts,  Circuits,  and  Stations. 
Sec.  I.  Division  into  districts,        -         -         16 
u    II.  Division  of  districts  into  circuits 

and  stations,  " 

"  III.  Ministers,  preachers,  and  mem- 
bers entitled  to  membership 
in  any  other  district,  circuit, 
or  station,  17 


INDEX  TO   CONSTITUTION.  1  ij 

Page 
ARTICLE  IV. 

On  receiving  Churches,  §c.  17 

Sec.  I.  Manner  of  receiving  churches,    - 
"     II.    What    constitutes    an    individual 
church;    and    of  dividing    into 
classes,       - 
"    III.  Powers  of  individual  churches,         18 
11    IV.  Churches   must   conform   to   the 
constitution,  and  book  of  disci- 
pline, - 

ARTICLE   V. 

Leaders'  Meeting. 
Sec.  I.  Composition  of  the  leaders'  meet- 
ing,   

ARTICLE  VI. 

Quarterly  Conference. 
Sec  I.  Composition  of  the  Quarterly  con- 
ference,     -         -         -         -  H 
11    II.  Powers  of  the    quarterly   confer- 
ence,                                                 19 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Composition  and  powers  of  the  Annual    Confer- 
ences. 
Sec  I.  Composition  of  the  annual  confer- 
ences, 20 
11    II.  Powers  of  the  annual  conferences,      C( 
11    III.  Power  granted  to  the  annual  con- 
ferences   to  raise  and  collect 


148  INDEX  TO  CONSTITUTION. 

Page 
funds  to  meet  the  expenses  of 
the  itinerant  preachers,         -         21 
Sec.  IV.  Additional  duties, 

1.  To  make  special  rules  and  re- 

gulations, - 

2.  To  regulate  the  mode  of  sta- 

tioning the  preachers, 

3.  To  make  rules  and  regulations 

for  the  admission  and  govern- 
ment of  coloured  persons; 
and  terms  of  suffrage  for  them,      " 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Composition  of  the  General  Conference,  22 

Sec.  I.  Time  and  place  of  holding  the  ge- 
neral conference,  " 

"  II.  Composition  of  the  general  con- 
ference,    - 

"  III.  Manner  of  electing  the  represen- 
tatives to  the  general  confe- 
rence,        -  " 

u    IV.  Manner  of  electing  the  president 

and  secretaries,  &c.  -         23 

"  V-  Representatives  to  vote  separately, 
at  the  call  of  three  members, 

"    VI.  Yeas  and  nays,  24 

iC    VII.  The    general    conference    shall 

publish  its  journal,  " 

"    VIII.  Preservation  of  books,  papers, 

&c. " 


INDEX  TO  CONSTITUTION*  1  10 

ARTICLE   IX 

Powers  of  the  (lateral  Conference,  21 

•Sec.  I.  The  general  conference  to  have 
power  to  make  rules  and  regu- 
lations,      -  " 

11  II.  To  fix  compensations,  duties,  and 
allowances;  and  devise  ways 
and  means  for  raising  funds,  " 

11  III.  To  regulate  the  number  of  repre- 
sentatives, by  ratio,  for  the  ge- 
neral conference, 

u  IV.  To  define  and  regulate  the  boun- 
daries of  annual  conference 
districts,     - 

ARTICLE    X. 

Restrictions  on  the  Legislative  Assemblies.        SS5 
Sec  I.  No  rule  to  be   passed  which  shall 

contravene  any  law  of  God,  M 

u     II.   No  rule  to  be  passed  infringing  the 

right  of  suffrage,  eligibility,  &,c     " 

M  III.  No  rule  to  be  passed  infringing 
the  liberty  of  speech  or  of  the 
press,        -  " 

11  IV.  No  rule  to  be  passed  authorizing 
the  expulsion  of  ministers  or 
members,  except  founded  on 
the  holy  scriptures,  n 

"  V.  No  rule  to  be  passed  appropriating 
the  funds  of  the  church  except 
for  the  support  of  ministers, 
&c. 2G 


150  INDEX  TO  CONSTITUTION. 

Page 
Sbc.  VI.  No  higher  order  of  ministers  to 
be    authorized,   than    that    of 
elder,         ....         26 

cl  VII.  No  rule  to  be  passed  to  abolish 
an  efficient  itinerant  ministry, 
or  to  station  preachers  longer 
than  the  time  specified,       -  u 

"  VIII.  No  change  to  be  made  in  the 
relative  proportions,  or  compo- 
nent parts  of  the  general  and 
annual  conferences,  " 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Officers  of  the  Church. 

Presidents  of  annual  conferences,  how 
elected,  time  of  service,  and  duties,         -         27 

Superintendents,  how  appointed,  see  du- 
ties of  the  superintendents  in  the  discipline,     " 

Assistant  ministers,  how  appointed;  see 
duties  of  assistants,  in  the  discipline,       -  " 

Ministers  and  preachers  not  under  the 
stationing  authority  of  the  annual  confer- 
ence, accountable  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence,  -«-----  " 

Class  leaders,  how  elected,  -         -         28 

Conference  stewards,  how  elected, 

Station  and  circuit  stewards,  how  elected,       " 

ARTICLE  XII. 

Suffrage  and  Eligibility  to  Office.  29 

Sec  I.  Right  of  suffrage,      - 


INDEX   TO   CONSTITUTION.  151 


29 


Sec.  II.  Eligibility  to  the  general  confer- 
ence, • 
11     III.   Eligibility  of  a  delegate  to  the  an- 
nual   conference,    and  to    the 

office  of  stewards, 
ri     IV.   Eligibility  to  the   office  of  presi- 

fh'Tit   of  .'in    •nx'o'il   ©vnfLionv/c, 
ARTICLE   XIII. 

Judiciary  Principles,  30 

Sec.  I.   Offences  sufficient  to  exclude  min- 
isters, preachers,  and  members,      u 
11     II.  Neglect  of  duties,  u 

11    III.  Preaching  or  disseminating  un- 

scriptural  doctrines,  u 

u    IV.  Removal  from  office  for  mal-ad- 

ministration,  " 

ARTICLE   XIV. 

Privileges  of  accused  Ministers  and  Members. 
Sec.  I.  Ministers,  preachers,  and  members 
to  be  duly  notified  of  time  and 
place  for  trial,  to  have  a  copy 
of  the  charges  and  specifica- 
tions, power  to  challenge,  (Sec.     31 

rl  II.  No  minister  or  preacher  to  be  ex- 
pelled or  deprived  of  ministe- 
rial functions,  &.c.  without  im- 
partial trial,  &x. 

"  III.  No  member  to  be  expelled  or  de- 
prived of  church  privileges 
without  an  impartial  trial,  &c.       (< 


152 


INDEX  TO  CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE  XV. 

Discipline  Judiciary. 
Sec.  I.  Manner  of  appointing  the  judiciary, 
"    II.  Powers  of  the  judiciary,    - 
11    III.  Their  decisions  to  be  in  writing, 
»«<J   tn  be  published,  together 
with  reasons,      - 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

Special  call  of  the  General  Conference. 
Sec  I.  Special  meetings  of  the  general  con- 
ference, how  called,   - 
11    II.  Presidents  of  the  annual  confer- 
ences shall  designate  the  time 
and  place,  - 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

Provision  for  Altering  the  Constitution. 

I.  General   conference  to  have  power 
to  amend  the  constitution, 

II.  General   convention   to  have  full 
power  to  alter  the  constitution, 


Page 
32 


Sec 


Power  not  delegated,  still  retained  by 
the  ministers  and  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Protestant  Church.  - 


33 


34 


DISCIPLINE  INDEX. 

Purr. 

Admission  to  Membership,        -  -  3-3 

1.  Probationers  to  be  received  by  the  su- 

perintendent,     - 

2.  In   stations,  the   leaders'  meeting  admit 

to  full  membership,     - 

3.  In  circuits,   admittance   to  full  member- 

ship is  by  the  society, 

Trial  of  Ministers,  Preachers,  and  Members ,     36 

1.  Committee  for  the  trial  of  ministers  and 

preachers  to  be  appointed  by  the 
superintendent;  but  he  is  not  to  go 
out  of  the  limits  of  the  district  for 
committee  men,  - 

2.  Committee  for  the  trial  of  members,  to 

be  appointed  by  the  accused,  and  by 
the  class,  with  right  of  challenge, 

3.  A  secretary  to  be  appointed  by  the  com- 

mittee,        -----         37 

4.  Committee  to  name  the  penalty;  the  su- 

perintendent to  carry  it  into  effect,         " 

5.  Notice  to  be  given  of  intention  to  ap- 

peal,   

6.  Persons  absenting  themselves  to  be  tried 

nevertheless,       -         -         .  " 


154  INDEX  TO  DISCIPLINE. 

.  Page 

7.  Superintendent  to  be  notified,   &c.  by 

the  president,  38 

8.  In  cases  of  personal   offence,  the   direc- 

tion   of  our  Lord   to    be   followed. 
Matt,  xviii.  15—17.  " 

9.  Disputes  between  members  to  be  settled 

by  arbitration,     -  - 

Leaders'  meetings  39 

1.  To  be  opened  with  prayer,  u 

2.  Names  of  all  the  leaders  to  be   called 

over  at  each  meeting, 

3.  Class  book's  examined  quarterly, 

4.  Inquiry  to  be  made  into  the  punctuality 

and  faithfulness  of  leaders, 

5.  List  of  probation  to  be  read  over  once 

a  month,    - 

6.  Superintendent  to  inquire  after  the  sick, 

&c. 40 

7.  Appropriations  for  relief  of  the   poor  to 

be  made  by  the  leaders'  meeting, 

8.  General  class  meetings  appointed  by  the 

leaders'  meeting,  - 

Quarterly  Conference,  41 

1.  Organized  by  the  appointment  of  a  chair- 

man, - 

2.  Charges  of  immorality  &,c.  to  be  referred 

to  the  proper  authorities, 

3.  Committee    for   examination    of  candi- 

dates,   


INDEX  TO   DISCIPLINE.  155 

Page 

4.  Times  and  places  of  preaching  fixed  by 

the  quarterly  conference,  42 

5.  Each  quarterly  conference  to  keep  a  re* 

gister  of  baptisms,  &,c.  " 

6.  Superintendent  to  give  notice  of  time 

and  place  for  holding  the  succeeding 
quarterly  conference, 

7.  Appeals, 

8.  Suspended  ministers,  &,c.  not  to  offici- 

ate while  their  appeal  is  pending,  43 

9.  Ministers  and  preachers  of  other  denom- 

inations   may    be    received    by    the 
quarterly  conference,  - 

Annual  Conference,  -         -         -  M 

1.  Opened  by  the  president  of  the  past  year,       M 

2.  To  Judge  of  election  returns,     • 

8.  Charges  of  immorality,  how  disposed  of,     44 

4.  No  minister  to  be  received  without  cer- 

tificate,        M 

5.  No  conference  or  president  has  power  to 

withhold  a  certificate, 

6.  Ministers  and  preachers  must  be  received 

by  vote,      - 

7.  Manner    of   transferring   ministers    and 

preachers,  -----  M 

8.  Ministers    and    preachers    coming   from 

other  denominations  may  be  received 

by  the  conference,  45 

9.  Ministers  and  preachers  rejected  by  con- 

ference, not  to  be  employed   by  the 
president,  except  as  specified,      -  M 


156  INDEX  TO  DISCIPLINE. 

Page 

10.  Eligibility  to  deacon's  orders,  -         45 

11.  Eligibility  to  elder's  orders, 

12.  In  cases  of  missions,  &x.  qualification 

of  time  dispensed  with, 

13.  Qualifications  for  orders, 

14.  Deacons'  authority,  - 

15.  Elders'  authority,  46 

16.  Ordination,  by  whom  performed, 

17.  Appeals,  manner  of  conducting  them,        M 

18.  New  trial  allowed, 

19.  When  a  station  or  circuit  may  be  di- 

vided,        -----         47 

20.  Conference  not  obliged  to  employ  in- 

competent men,  -         -         - 

21.  No  minister  or  preacher  to  cease  from 

his  labours,  except  by  consent  of  the 
president,  -         -         -         -         - 

22.  Standing  committee,        - 

23.  Ministers  and   preachers   to  furnish  a 

certificate  to  the  conference  steward,      " 

24.  Annual  conference  to  publish  its  minutes,  48 

25.  Extracts  of  minutes  to  be   sent  to  the 

editor  of  Mutual  Rights,  &,c. 

26.  Public  collection  in  time  of  conference, 

27.  No  member  to  withdraw  without  per- 

mission,     -         -         -         -         - 

Advice  to  Ministers  and  Preachers,  49 

Duties  of  the  superintendent,  50 

1.  To  fill  the  pulpits  and  administer  the  or- 
dinances, - 


INDKX  TO   discipline.  157 

2.  To  receive  persons  on  probation,        -  60 

3i   To  visit  the.  clafl  ... 

4.  To  five  notice  of  the  approaching  quar- 

terly conference,  - 

5.  To  hold  love  leasts,  watch  nights,  <!yc. 
(>.  To  detain  the  society  occasionally  after 

preaching,  51 

7.  To  organize  the  children  into  classes, 

8.  To    keep    a   record    of   members,    mar- 

riages, baptisms,  &,c. 

9.  To  report  quarterly  to  the  president, 

10.  To  give   certificates  to  those  who   de- 

sire to  remove,   -  " 

11.  To  employ  ministers,  6lc.  to  assist  him 

in  the  discharge  of  duty,  M 

Duties  of  Class  Leaders,  #2 

h  To  meet  his  class  once  a  week, 

2.  To  receive  their  contributions, 

3.  To  attend  the  leaders  meeting, 

4.  To  visit  the  sick,  foe.        - 

Duties  of  the  Conference  Steward^  -         53 

1.  To  receive  the  collections  made  to  meet 

the  expenses  and  claims  of  confer- 
ence, -.-  M 

2.  To    make     the    apportionment    to    the 

preachers,  &,c.    -  M 

3.  To  make  out  an  exhibit  of  receipts  and 

appropriations,    -  M 


158  INDEX  TO  DISCIPLINE. 

Page 

Duties  of  circuit  and  station  Stewards,     -         55 

1.  To  keep  a  fair  account  of  the  current  re- 

ceipts and  disbursements  of  the  cir- 
cuit or  station,    - 

2.  To  make  the  necessary  provision  for  the 

Lord's  supper,  &,c.  and  to  receive 
and  apply  the  funds  for  the  relief  of 
the  poor,    -----  M 

3.  To  use  proper  means  to  induce  liberality 

in  support  of  the  gospel, 

4.  To    take    up   a   conference    collection, 

sometime  in  the  last  quarter,        -         56 
4.  To  make  a  collection  to  aid  the  general 
conference,  - 

General  duties  of  Trustees, 

1.  To    hold    the    property    of   individual 

churches,   - 

2.  To  hold  periodical  meetings, 

3.  To  take  care  of  the  church  property, 

4.  To  procure  or   dispose   of  property  on 

specified  conditions,  - 

General  Rules  of  John  and  Charles  Wesley,     58 

Articles  of  Religion,  62 

Publication  of  books,  &>c.      -  -  112 

Publication  of  periodical,       -  -  -  115 

Course  of  reading,  -         -  -  116 

Form  of  a  license  to  exhort,  -  -  119 

a  license  to  preach,  -  -  120 

— — —  deacon's  credentials,  -  -  121 


INDEX  TO   DISCIPLINE.  159 

J»<gl 

Form  of  elder's  credentials,   -  189 

a  certificate  of  membership,      -  123 

a   certificate    for   an    unstationed 

minister  or  preacher  about  to  remove,  " 
Form  of  a  certificate  for  a  stationed  minis- 
ter   or   preacher   about   to   remove   to 

another  district,     ....  12-4 

Form  of  a  transfer,        -  125 

Forms  of  certificates  of  election,    -         -  126 

Form  of  a  marriage  register,            -          -  127 

a  register  of  baptisms, 

Address  to  the  ministers  and  members  of 

the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  128 

Recommendation  for  building  colleges,  144 


JOHN  J.   HARROD, 

BOOK  AGENT  METHODIST  P.  CHURCH, 

OFFERS  THE  FOLLOWING  WORKS, 

Recommended   by  the  Book   Committee, 
for  sale  at  the  annexed  prices,  viz: 

Price,     per  doz.  retail. 

Hymn  Book,  $4  50  i 

Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress.    $4  50 

Clark  on  the  Promises,  37| 

Christian  Pattern,  $3  37 1 

Mrs.  Rowe's  Devout  Exercises,  $3  37J 

Brown's  Philosophy,  2  vols.         $33         3.50 
Rollings  Ancient  History,  8  vol.  4.00 

Blair's  Lectures  on  Rhetoric,  1.50 

The  books  constituting  the  course  of  reading 
recommended  in  the  discipline,  may  be  had  of 
the  agent  at  fair  prices. 

A  general  catalogue  of  books  will  be  furnished 
shortly. 


